In the professional world, you must have observed that at a workplace, some people are successful while others are not so successful. The obvious reason for success is competence, efficiency, and effectiveness. But is it all that is needed for being successful at work?

Sometimes you might have seen a person having all the above-mentioned attributes is not as successful as others who are not as good as this person in the attributes mentioned. So, what is it which works as an X factor deciding success for individuals in work situations?

As a student of a professional course and just a few years away from the corporate world, you should know how to groom yourself for a successful future. In this article, we will discuss certain practices successful people use all the time but are not documented well. Some of these practices are process-oriented while some are behavioral or attitudinal in nature.

Make Sure Your Work is Noticed!

If you want to get ahead in life, it’s very important that your work is visible and seen by your bosses. It’s all too easy for your work to get overlooked in the busy hurly-burly office life. You might be slaving away and still remain unnoticed. In such a scenario, you need to put in some effort to boost your individual status and get proper recognition for your work. Only when you make your mark and you stand out, your promotional potential will be realized.

So, how do you get noticed? People think that the best way to get your work noticed is to be very, very good at your job; and be totally dedicated to doing the job and ignore all the rest. They think that if they say ‘yes’ to everything they will ultimately get noticed, get praised, and get promoted. However, this ‘I’ll do it’ mentality lead them to be overworked, undervalued, and even abused. Before you put your hand up to volunteer for anything, think very carefully.

Instead, try these tips:

• Create your own successes: Find out your areas of strength and focus on the projects which are in line with it.

• Show leadership: Take the initiative to lead people, even if sometimes your ideas might not be accepted.

• Network effectively: Build relationships with key people who can help you move forward in your career. 

• Speak up: Participate in meetings to make sure your voice is heard. 

• Promote yourself: Don’t be hesitant when it comes to taking credit for the work you have done.

• Develop a good impression: Do whatever you can do to create an impressive image of yourself. 

Carve Out a Niche for Yourself

It’s a good idea to work towards carving out a niche yourself. Carving out a niche means spotting a useful area that no one else has spotted. It might be as simple as being great at using spreadsheets or preparing reports or presentations – any area where you are far better than the rest around you.

It also means that you should work towards finding out an area where you can excel. Carving out a niche for yourself often takes you out of the normal range of office activities.

As a start, you have to look at your talents. Know your strengths and weaknesses – and decide where your specialist knowledge could be useful. Perhaps you are a wizard with computers or other technology OR maybe you are very creative OR know a lot about something that others don’t.

Whatever quality or excellence you choose to flaunt, you need to be sure that it is relevant, topical, and interesting. That way, others will come to you when they need your service. If you know something, then you become more of a consultant and also attain a sort of 360-degree leadership.

Here are a few examples of qualities that may put you a class apart from your peers:

• I have excellent skills in spreadsheets.
• I am a very good photographer.
• I have excellent filmmaking abilities through training and practice.

Keep Your Commitments!

But whatever your competencies are, no matter how efficient or distinguished you are, if you lack commitment, then all these traits are of no use.

To get on and up, you have to be 100 percent committed. You can’t afford to lose sight of your long-term goal for a second. For you, there is no time off, no downtime, no lounging around time, no slip-ups, no mistakes, and no accidental deviations from the script.

Some tips to help you remain committed to your goals are:

• Write down your goals: Writing down your goals will help you stay focused on them.

• Make a daily plan: Having a daily plan of action can be helpful in achieving the long-term goal. 

• Track progress continuously: Keeping track of small achievements and celebrating them is important to keeping motivated.

• Surround yourself with like-minded people: Find supportive people to encourage and motivate you.

• Take regular breaks: Give yourself some much-needed downtime every now and then so that you don’t burn out. 

• Revisit your goals: Regularly revisit your goals, make changes if necessary, and stick to the plan.

Cherish Your Work!

Whatever you do becomes qualitatively better if you are enjoying while doing it. If you are not enjoying yourself, why are you doing it? If there is no entertainment value in your work then there really is no point in doing it.

There is no shame in saying you enjoy your work. You should enjoy your work and make sure people know that. Once you acknowledge that work is fun – and for you, it is even more fun than anyone else – you will find your step lightens, your stress level decreases and your whole demeanor lightens.

Work is fun; engrave it in your heart.

‘Having a good time at work’ and ‘realizing work is good’ isn’t the same thing. ‘Work being good’ means you take pride in what you do, enjoy the challenge, and look forward to each day with optimism and enthusiasm. ‘Having a good time at work’ may mean not achieving much, talking a lot, winding up with colleagues, and drinking tea and coffee all day.

Work being good means enjoying while making a presentation for work, formulating marketing strategy, and interacting with your salesforce. If you are not enjoying your work, then you will be a compulsive moaner, deeply sunken in the feeling of victimhood.

Develop the Right Attitude

To enjoy your work, you need to have the right attitude. If you are wondering how to groom yourself best for a successful future, the right attitude must be at the top of your list.

So, what is the right attitude?

• The right attitude means giving it your best shot, not just today but every day. Not just when it’s easy but when it is bloody awful as well.
• The right attitude means going that extra mile, giving it that extra effort even when you’re tired and pissed off and ready to quit.
• The right attitude is head up, never moaning, always positive and upbeat, and constantly looking for the advantage and the edge.
• The right attitude is developing standards – and sticking to them. Being sure of your bottom line and knowing when to make a stand.
• The right attitude is being aware that you have enormous power and that you will exercise that power with kindness, restraint, humanity, and consideration. You won’t show anyone down or be ruthless or manipulative.
• The right attitude is being good but quick, kind but observant, and considerate but successful.

If you can imbibe and nurture these qualities, you can make sure that your work will be enjoyable and successful.

Remember, nothing beats a good performance with a great attitude! So always strive to have a positive outlook on life and enjoy your work. The sky’s the limit for those who dare to dream big!