Do you think you are being effective at work? While it is common for most of us to believe that we are perfectly effective, this isn’t always the case. In fact, we all have certain strengths and weaknesses that have a direct impact on how we perform at work. If you could tweak some of your skills, you will find that you can be even more effective.

There are so many benefits you can gain by being truly effective at work, which can also have positive effects in your career in the long run. Effective workers are the ones who are always given great projects, get important clients, and easily gain the respect of their employers and colleagues.

So what are you supposed to do to become a more effective worker and get the opportunities that will help you advance in your career?

1. Determine your priorities

One very important step in becoming really effective at work is to know what your purpose is at work. Of course, how could you set your priorities if you don’t know exactly what’s expected of you in the first place? You cannot take this for granted because without clear priorities, you wouldn’t know what’s important and what’s not.

To know your purpose in the workplace and to figure out the things you should give priority to, it will help to do some kind of job analysis. Talk to your supervisor about this and get some advice even from your more experienced colleagues. By doing this, you will know what your goals should be, which is vital in setting your priorities.

2. Develop a more positive attitude

People who have a positive mindset and a good attitude do not hesitate to take the initiative when needed. They are always willing to give a hand to anyone who needs their help, they volunteer to fill in for someone, and they see to it that their work is done perfectly. Effective workers don’t think “good enough” is actually enough.

By practicing good attitude at work, you are not only gaining respect from your coworkers, but you are also setting goals for yourself, and this behavior simply means that you are ready to take responsibility. Employers are always in search for this kind of worker in their organization. Thus, developing the right attitude and mindset at work can give you valuable opportunities for career advancement in the future.

3. Improve the most important skills

It is very likely that you hardly find time for yourself and even for your family because of the demands of your job. This is understandable, of course, that’s why it is always a challenge for career-oriented people to keep their life and work balance. However, it is important that you also find time to develop your skills or acquire new skills.

The competition in the workplace today can be so fierce that you may find it really hard to even be considered for promotion. One thing you can do to make sure that you get the attention of your employers is to consistently improve on your skills. If there are mentoring programs offered in your organization, you should take full advantage of this opportunity. Some people even enroll in short courses just to gain new knowledge and skills. By continuously striving for improvement, you are not just making yourself a good candidate for promotion, but you are also preparing yourself for some better career opportunitie in the future.

Author's Bio: 

Cecile Peterkin is a certified career and retirement coach, and a registered member of the Career Professionals of Canada and the International Coach Federation. She is also the Founder and Senior Career Strategist at Cosmic Coaching Centre, provider of career and life management services for middle managers and mid-career professionals across Canada, United States and Europe.