How to work hard without being a pushover

How to work hard without being a pushoverIf youre like fruchtwein of us, youre dedicated to doing your absolute best at workday in and day outin order to prove to yourself, your colleagues, and to anyone else whos paying attention that you notlage only deserve the position youre in but that you have every intention of moving as high up your career ladder as possible. After all, who doesnt like a hard worker? googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) This often means that you not only give 100% effort on all of your work tasks and responsibilities, you also make every effort to help those around youafter all, smart employees know that a rising tide lifts all boats. It never hurts to gain a little good sentiment among coworkers, who hopefully see you as a strong link on the team chain and are mora than willing to return the favor when needed. However, the truth is that this sort of good-natured and well-intentioned approach to work often comes at a price, and you may have to contend with an onerous species of colleaguethe sort who will take advantage of your hard-working nature and use it to their self-centered advantage.Does this sound familiar? After spending countless hours toiling away on a long and involved project a scheming colleague swoops in out of nowhere and takes all the credit for your hard work. Does this sort of thing happen often to you? If so, dont feel too defeatedthe truth is, hard workers are often vulnerable to this bad behavior, as unscrupulous and infinitely lazier coworkers seek to capitalize on every opportunity to take advantage of the efforts of others. But that doesnt mean you should sit idly by and let them take advantage of you.If youd like to figure out some effective strategies for showing the world that youre a hard worker who will routinely go above and beyondbut who will not be taken advantage ofconsider taking advantage of the following steps.Step 1DiagnoseThe first step to making positive c hange, if and when you feel as if youre hard work is being taken advantage of, is to recognize that theres a problem. This often means realizing that theres a pattern of poor behavior on the part of a colleagueafter all, a one-time thing where someone received a little more credit on a work project than they deserved might just be a miscommunication or harmless mistake. But if it continues to occur repeatedly, then its a real problem. Once you recognize that theres an issue, you can begin to mobilize a strategy for dealing with it head on.Step 2ConfirmThe truth is, sometimes were our own worst witnesses to a situation that directly involves us. Why? Because we often simply lack the distance needed to have a completely rational perspective. As a result, its helpful in situations like these to either get a second opinion from a trusted colleague or, if not feasible, to try our best and take a step back from the situation in an effort to objectively confirm that what we think is happen ing actually is. After all, the last thing you want to do is accuse a colleague of taking advantage of your hard work when it isnt really happening (talk about awkward).Step 3Confront (Carefully)For most people, this is the trickiest step, and for good reason. Once youve diagnosed and confirmed the problem, the only way to effect positive and lasting change is to confront the situationbut be sure to proceed with caution. There is a broad spectrum of approaches you can take, depending on how pervasive the situation is, as well as your relationship with the person in question and your position and standing at workas well as theirs. After all, how you handle this situation if it was a subordinate taking advantage of your hard work vs. your boss behaving this way will likely be vastly different.This is why proceeding with caution is so essential. If feasible, try tactfully communicating your feelings regarding the situation to the person in question. Best case scenario, with minimum eff ort you nimbly eradicate the bad behavior. If this approach fails, then it may be time to step up your efforts, but dont jump from a 1 to a 10 on the assertiveness scale out of frustrationtry incrementally more assertive approaches (were NOT endorsing doing anything that will put you or your job in jeopardy here) to send a clear signal that you will not sit by and idly accept your colleague taking advantage of your hard work. It may entail talking to your boss or the other persons boss about the situation if all else fails, or trying to avoid working directly with them whenever possible.If its your boss or a superior whos taking advantage of you, then the situation is even trickier. Simply put, youre going to have tread lightly here. If your relationship with the superior in question is strong, you may stand a good chance of fixing the problem if this isnt the case, weigh your options and determine the approach that makes the most sense given your situation, always erring on the sid e of caution.Step 4ChangeHow you behave moving forward will send a clear indication of how much others can treat you at work. Simply put, people are far less likely to try and take advantage of a colleague who radiates strength and confidence than someone whos more meek and reserved. Continue your hard work and eagerness to be a team player, but start sending clear signals that youre not a person to be underestimated or mistreated. Whenever possible, try and protect your work from the involvement of others, and claim fair credit for your work when you can. Trust us, if handled properly people will start to get the message and will think twice before trying to take advantage of youyou may even garner some newfound respect from others in your work orbit.

How to Fall in Love With Your Job

How to Fall in Love With Yur Job How to Love Yur JobIf you cant be with the one you love, love the one youre with.Are you spending time fantasizing about cool schreibstubes where the team members are best friends and go out for drinks after work? Maybe youre bored and feel your current job has no room for growth or career development opportunities. No job is perfect. Some days are good and others can make you want to throw in the towel and quit. Finding the perfect fit takes time, practice, and patience.Until destiny comes knocking at your inbox, it might be necessary to learn how to be happier at work and enjoy your current job (or at least stop yourself from banging your head against the wall). With a little effort, your piece of coal may reveal a diamond in the rough. Here are a few suggestions on how to aufgabe in love with your job.1. Take on new rolesBoredom doesnt necessarily signal a bad fit. Sometimes it reflects your commitment and drive. Famed British author G.K. Chesterto n once said There are no uninteresting things, only uninterested people. If youre tired of the same old job day in and day out, do something about it. Volunteer for extra assignments and new projects, or approach the hiring manager and tell them you would like to shadow a colleague. Most companies promote learning new skills and career development opportunities. Just dont neglect your own work and assignments.One area companies want to advance but tend to ignore is community engagement. Whether its lack of resources or time, many CEOs never conceptualize their volunteer programs. Taking time to volunteer to build a program would benefit the community, company, and your accolades. Start small at first. VolunteerMatch, a company dedicated to bringing charitable causes and companies together, provides free training material and advice for starting a project.2. Build new relationshipsWe spend more time with our colleagues and co-workers than our own friends and family, meaning job satis faction is directly linked to our work relationships. According to a recent report, making friends and having a healthy social life improves stability, interest, and interaction all key aspects of knowing how to love your job. Learning to get along with your peers and enjoy friendly activities may help you change your mind about your current work conditions, going a long way towards staying positive at work.Rather than use office mail, instant messaging like Slack, or email, walk over to your co-workers area and talk directly to them. Ask about their work, projects, and listen to any difficulties they may have. Offer suggestions only when they are welcome. Also consider joining office activities and groups. If none exist, speak with a few like-minded co-workers and start your own group. Activities need not be extensive a walk around the building each day or casual lunch helps build budding relationships.3. Talk to your boss about changesSometimes its not the company we detest, but rather, the job itself is mundane. Theres nothing wrong with asking for a transfer or seeking another position its a quick way to stay positive at work. Look at the companys career site and see if there are any positions available. Depending on your companys size, they may list positions on Monster or Glassdoor. Many hiring managers give preference to candidates already working for the company.Dont be afraid to recommend other changes as well. You dont have to transfer, change jobs, or leave the company to improve your work surroundings. Carefully think about the areas that need improvement and speak with other co-workers to get their input. Whatever you do, dont complain rather, ask what areas they think could be improved. Then, take unterstellung suggestions to your supervisor and ask if you can help with improvements. Make sure your approach is professional and courteous, and they should be receptive to your ideas.Related6 Ways to Impress Your Boss4. Make your work area more com fortableGiving your work area a small makeover could mean the difference between a lackluster start to each day and renewed vigor upon entering the office. You dont have to go overboard simply start by eliminating clutter from your area and organizing the space to suit your needs. A well-organized office space is less stressful and helps make your workday smoother. Also, a workspace you love is an easy step towards learning how to love your jobOnce your area is optimized for peak performance, start giving it a customized look. Think of your workplace as an extension of your home or personality. A small potted plant and photos brighten any office area, but be careful not to violate any office policies. Always ask your immediate supervisor before bringing any personal effects from home, because while some offices promote creativity, others require you to maintain a clean look.5. Take a short vacationDo you have extra vacation time that youve accumulated? Sometimes a quick break works wonders for staying positive at work. If youre starting to hate your job and youre thinking about quitting, consider a short respite. Use this time to evaluate your goals, the pros and cons of staying or leaving the job, and other career options. The point of this time off isnt to take a break or have fun, but instead, its the time necessary to remove yourself from the environment thats causing doubt. Without the negative triggers, a rational decision is easier to make.Three days should be enough to help make a decision. Use the first day to rest, unwind, and allow the stress to leave your body. The next two days should be used for reflection and determining whether youll have better options elsewhere. Be sure to run your thoughts by those who care about you their objective opinions may lead you to see aspects of your job that youve lost sight of. Anonymous online counseling could also be useful. Talkspace, an online counseling service, offers low-cost therapists and advisors to tal k about problems and help guide you to the best decision.6. Keep your eye on the prizeWe all want to work at the company of our dreams, whether that means offices on the beach, a pineapple juice dispenser attached to the water fountain, or exciting projects with world-class clients. These dreams are (somewhat) possible, but they take patience and determination. The ultimate goal is to build your resume, learn new skills, take career development opportunities, and gain valuable experience. Then, when the perfect job pops up, youll be ready.Havent found the perfect job? Make sure your resume is top-notch with a free resume critiqueRecommended ReadingMake the Most of a Job You Dont LoveCareer Development Tips to Love Your Job Even MoreShould You Fall Back in Love with Your Job?Related Articles