Whether you like your job or not, you have to have a certain state of mind to be successful. To be honest, that’s the case with anything in life. Certain mindset shifts can allow you to kill it at work, kill it at the gym, and kill it in life. You can do anything you put your mind to. I highly recommend you read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, if you don’t believe me.
I can certainly go on and on about the power of the mind, but for the sake of your time, I’m going to talk about it in terms of your career. If you dread going to work, or can’t seem to get the confidence you need, a mindset shift may be needed. Start shifting the way you think about problems. In fact, they are no longer problems to dwell on, they are solutions that need to be found. Here are a few impactful mindset shifts to make if you want to kill it at work.
Think this: “I can allocate my time to get everything important done.”
Not this: “I don’t have enough time to get everything done.”
We all have the same amount of time in the day. However, the difference between those who are productive and those who aren’t, is how that time is utilized. Instead of focusing on the lack of hours you have, focus on the most important things that need to get done in your day.
Start by creating a to-do list. Prioritize your responsibilities by importance and deadline. Get the most important things, due soon, done first. Not everything may be able to be completed in one day, but you can certainly fill better with the important items taken care of first.
Think this: “Moving forward, I will make it a habit to ask my manager for more work, or if there is anything additional I can assist with.”
Not this: “My manager gives [insert name here] more work, appreciation, responsibility than me.”
More than likely, your manager is giving [insert name here] more work, appreciation, and responsibility than you is because [insert name here] is delivering. To take on additional responsibility, and show you can handle it, you have to start by asking. The first few times you ask, your manager may not give you anything, but over time they will. You don’t get what you don’t ask for, so start making it a habit to ask for more responsibility on a consistent basis.
Think this: “I am capable of everything on my plate, and more.”
Not this: “I can’t handle the pressure of work.”
Whether you work in a high-production environment or not, sometimes the pressures of the job can get to you. Think of the alternative – not having a steady stream of income. While you may be dealing with a lot at work, your mindset shift will play a role.
If you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right. Take pride in all the responsibility you have, and focus on taking care of your responsibilities, one by one. Instead of focusing on the entire picture (which is surely overwhelming), take it day by day.
Think this: “Let’s see how we can figure this out.”
Not this: “That’s not my problem.”
To kill it at work, grow in your career, and show yourself as a leader, you have to be a team player. If someone asks you for help, assist them. Having the mindset that you have too much on your plate, or you can’t deal with other people’s problems, is not the way to go. Not only will helping your co-workers make you appear like a thought-leader on the job, it will also not be forgotten. You never know how who you help now could help you in the future.
This this: “Is there a way we can do this process, job, responsibility better?”
Not this: “That’s the way we’ve always done it.”
One of the most important traits you can have at the workplace is the ability to adapt to change and innovate. Things are changing every day, so if you can’t keep up, you will be left behind. Instead of playing by the rules and failing to be innovative, think about how processes, procedures and job functions can be changed for the better. If you have a great idea, bring it to the table. Great ideas are sure to get you noticed.
Think this: “I’m going to take this feedback and use it to improve.”
Not this: “I can’t believe how bad I did.”
Performance reviews are common at many jobs. If you get feedback that is not exactly what you wanted to hear, don’t harp on the negative. In fact, take the feedback and use it to get better. Feedback is a wonderful thing. Sometimes, we don’t realize our faults. Getting feedback from peers and managers allows us to get better. Use the feedback to make positive changes that will help you long-term in your career. Handling criticism at work is a must.
Related: 5 Mindset Shifts to Help You Manage Debt
Shifting your mind to a positive, productive state won’t happen overnight. It will take a conscious effort on your part, especially in the beginning. But, just like any habit, the more you do it, the easier it will come to you. Before you know it, your mind will naturally be in a positive, productive state, and that will resonate in every area in your life, not just the work place.
Do you have any thoughts on shifting to a positive mindset at work? How do you kill it at work? Share your tips for staying positive at work and in life! Post a comment below to share.
