Be Different or be dead

October 26, 2019

Why success doesn’t necessarily come from working really hard

Source: Pexels

Why success doesn’t necessarily come from working really hard.

Many people think that spending most of their time and effort working for the company is enough for a promotion. However, they always find themselves getting bypassed when promotion time comes. As a result, they end up tired and feeling unappreciated for all the hard work they put in.
Let’s say you’re starting as a financial consultant, how can you excel in your chosen career? There are various ways of obtaining that promotion you richly deserved.

Aside from working hard, you should also consider:

Increasing your influence

Working long hours leave you little time for other career-enhancing activities. Instead of focusing on the quantity, consider boosting the quality of your work. For example, think of ways on how to accomplish your daily task in the least amount of time. By doing so, management will undoubtedly notice your efficiency for getting things done.

Often, it’s not possible to finish all your work within an 8-hour workday. However, if you’re aiming for a higher position, you’ll need to develop time-saving solutions.
If you’re heading a team, make efficient use of your members to accomplish more. With more time on your hands, you can then connect with other groups or departments where you can offer your help or expertise. 

Meeting the right people

Getting buried in paperwork will deprive you of making a personal connection with other people in the company. Yes, it’s essential to finish your work. However, you should also devote some time to attending company social functions or talking to your colleagues.
These meeting and communications are usually vital for any promotional aspirations aside from doing meaningful work.

Adopting a positive personality

Many people mistakenly believed that working hard can compensate for their poor personality. Unfortunately, a boorish attitude won’t help you elicit goodwill from your co-workers and superiors. Without their cooperation, attaining your promotion goals is next to impossible. After all, companies value teamwork and collaboration among co-workers.

It’s unlikely that you’ll achieve recognition for being a lone wolf no matter how hard you work. You should instead make an effort to become a highly contributing team player.

Finding helpful insights into your work

There’s a misconception that executives and senior management attain their positions by working harder than others. While it’s true that hard work plays an integral part in their success, intelligence is also essential. Since time and physical effort is a limited quantity, resourcefulness can also help you accomplish more.

Helping other people succeed

Helping other people succeed may seem counter-intuitive for many people. Shouldn’t you focus on your own career? Besides they may also be your rivals for the top position you’re aiming for.
The truth is, putting people down to advance your career will rarely work and may even backfire. However, by helping people succeed, you may be paving your upward rise.

Consider the following situations:
— Helping supervisors to achieve their goals can enhance your suitability for higher roles in the company
— Promoting your teammate, can result in your group attaining a well-deserved recognition.

If you’re just starting your career consider the following in addition to a work hard ethic:

Create your career vision (write it in a journal)

A career in the financial industry will require plenty of hard work. However, your efforts won’t matter if you haven’t set a career vision. While your goals may change over time, it’s vital to lay out a personal plan and not somebody else’s.

Take an entry-level job but don’t stay there

When your funds are short, and your dream job is not yet available, consider taking any job even if it’s a low paying one. However, you have no reason to get stuck with that work. Instead, consider submiting your CV to recruitment sites and continue improving your skills and looking for your dream job. It’s important to keep your options open in case a recruiter presents your dream job. 

Make your own career decisions

Ultimately, you choose your career path. Don’t rely on the words of others when it comes to your career. If there is little progress of getting promoted in your current company, it’s probably better to look for greener pastures.

Never take a job because of generous salary or perks

It’s tempting to accept a job offer that comes with a fancy title or big salary. Even so, it’s challenging to stay in a company where you don’t like or trust your co-workers.
So when a job offer seems too good to be true, exercise caution before accepting.

Time is a precious resource, spend it wisely

Life is temporary, and so is your job, giving you little time to waste. You have to advocate for your career even if you have to face plenty of doubters and haters. You should also consider when it’s time to leave a situation that’s no longer a suitable for you.

You won’t succeed in your career by trying to please everyone. You have to stand up and speak your mind. Such action may get you fired, but it sticking to your conviction makes you stronger. You can’t succeed in your career by merely playing safe or strictly adhering to the job description. 

Conclusion

Many people think that hard work alone is enough for getting promoted. However, such is not the case. Numerous factors can help you attain the position you want. Aside from completing your daily tasks, you need to socialise and make friends or connections.
Also, you need to exercise and exhibit personal traits that will prove to the company that you have the ‘right stuff’ for the top position. 

— Lauren Walker is the marketing administrator for Stellar Select, a financial services recruitment agency. The company provides the best match of mortgage and financial service candidates with employers who need their talents. Ever since its formation in 2005, candidates have been relying on Stellar Select as a trusted agency. Meanwhile, clients value them as a valuable source of professional talent.

• Posted 10.26.19 at 06:53 am by Roy Osing
• Permalink