Tips for Improving Work Performance Through Changing Task Patterns

Each of us works a great portion of our day on autopilot moving from task to task without thinking much about those tasks and why we are doing them. Over time the pattern of behavior becomes so embedded that we can't see beyond routine to their essential purpose. Eventually we lose touch with alternative actions. In the workplace this can cost you and the company a lot of time if you don't think through your daily activities and focus more on the important things.

We have all seen the "busy bee" worker that fills up their time with so much work that they have barely a minute to spare. The problem is that they aren't getting much done. It is just spinning wheels to look like their important that in the end drains both the person and the company of time, resources, and energy.

Think of how adaptable companies require change in their processes & procedures to meet market challenges. Companies spend a lot of money to get consultants in that can take an outside look at their operations and make suggestions. This review, if done well, can afford an opportunity to see how old patterns of work flow may be inefficient.

The same problem occurs in our daily work schedule where we may be completing works that is not necessary and could be a major time waster. This large portion of time spent in "busy work" holds us back in our career and drains your energy. If you have ever had a busy day and looked back and found out you accomplished nothing you know what I am talking about.

Tips for changing patterns:

-Write down your activities for a few days and reflect on what is important. If something isn't moving you in the direction of your goals consider removing it or lessening the time you spend on it.

-Try and look at your activities from a different perspective. Use a third party perspective and highlight areas of improvement.

-Make small adjustments in your patterns to create habits. Once those habits become routine you will be again on autopilot.

-Put the effort in up front in learning to lower the amount of effort on the back end.

-Look at  your job description and performance appraisal and see what is important in your job. Align your actions accordingly.

-Look at successful people and their work patterns to determine areas where improvement is beneficial.

-Keep checking back to make sure you are working on what is important.

The Benefits of a Positive Personality On Career Success

Be a Star -Murad Abel

Daily life can be hard but those who have a positive personality are likely to go further than those who don’t. Being positive has significant benefits for your career and for your psychological well-being. Those who master the art of looking for the best possible outcomes also come to find that they make friends easily and are able to move up the career ladder faster than those with negative dispositions.

We have all met that grumpy person who tears down everything they talk about or focus on. They chronically complain; food, clothes, job, life, money…anything! Their negative behavior becomes catchy and the more time you spend with this person the more likely you are going to start thinking like them.

Don’t live by their example. Seek to develop your own positive outlook on life. Doing so will lead to greater career opportunities and more friends. A positive personality will help you develop resilience when life does become difficult. Looking for the best possible outcomes is an exercise of the mind. 

Personality has a large impact on whether or not a person is liked by others. For example, teachers who are appreciated by others showed traits of extroversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, emotional stability, and openness (Eryilmaz, 2014). They were easy to get along with and were generally non-judgmental of others.

We are attracted to people who are positive because they help us feel good about ourselves and the potential of developing relationships. When someone shows a positive personality we trust their judgment. Why not? They like us right? Our assessment of them becomes reciprocal as we feed off of their positive energy.

It is natural that those who can attract other people also attract greater opportunities. Most of us love to work with people who are happy, positive, and feel like they can accomplish anything. We enjoy sharing opportunities with those who help us feel good and appreciate our presence.

Developing a positive outlook requires thinking about all the blessings you have. Gratitude and savoring was a predictor of positive psychological affectivity (Mailolino & Kuiper, 2014). Being appreciative of life, your career, and your opportunities can go a long way in developing your contentment.

Being positive has many benefits for your psychological health as well as your career. Developing a positive way of thinking about yourself, your life, and your prospects impacts not only your opportunities but also the way in which you see the world. Once a positive outlook is mastered you will find yourself creating the confidence needed to tackle any important job task leading to greater performance and more support. 

Be a Star: The photo was taken at La Jolla Beach and represents our goals and aspirations in life. The water in the background looks a little like sparks while the attention is focused on the start itself. The shutter speed could be adjusted to create a different waterfall look. Posters of the picture are available on the Creative Works Page or Fine Art America. 

Eryilmaz, A. (2014). Perceived personality traits and types of teachers and their relationship to the subjective well-being and academic achievement of adolescents. Educational Science, 14 (6).

Maiolino, N. & Kuiper, N. (2014). Integrating human and positive psychology approaches to psychological well-being. Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 10 (3).

Emotional Intelligence Can Make or Break Your Career

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) may just make or break your career. You earned that prestigious MBA, sowed the deals, and mastered your job but did you master yourself? If your not sure you may want to take a look at your emotional talent to see if it can take you to the next level of performance. 

Having the right skills is important but may not be the deciding factor in long term success. It is an ability to handle the day-in and day-out emotional aspects of work and life. This is not easy as multiple pressures and issues seem to attract and distract our attention raising stress levels.

That isn't always easy as life is messy and comes with many ups and downs. The extent of our peaks and valleys and how we deal with them defines our emotional resilience. At times we are better than at others. There may be a few days that we feel like we are at our brink.

Emotional intelligence influences our ability to interact effectively with others and understand the origins of our emotions. Work is naturally stressful and the barrage of other peoples needs and issues mixed with a fast paced environment can be overwhelming to most.

Emotional intelligence is a decisive factor in career success. In a complex global business environment emotional intelligence is needed among managers that work at multinational companies. Where emotional intelligence is lacking, or unable to be developed, is a hole the skill battery of an organization.

Organizations often focus on the hard and easily measured skills that are based in results or job function. They ignore those soft skills that require something more subtle out of people. Winning at all costs without being able to develop quality relationships can be disasterous to turn over rates in the future.

Emotional intelligence is so important it can even be used as a predictor of the ability to communicate with others domestically and internationally (Fall, et. al. 2013). According to their work emotionality, sociability, and self-control make their way into higher emotional intelligence.

People that score low on emotional intelligence are also unlikely to be able to understand the nuances of international relationships. They are limited by their own perception and ability to control their emotions. People of different cultural backgrounds often look for these cues to determine intention.

The same process occurs within the same culture as it does internationally. The use of verbal and non-verbal expressions creates the total message. In international relationships the subtle nature of these impressions can change the dynamics of the relationship.

Emotional intelligence can be developed and enhanced through practice and persistence. Taking a few moments to analyze a situation critically before responding can do wonders. At times emotions can be more of a knee jerk response. If you do happen to master emotional intelligence and match your business skills to it you will have an unbeatable combination.

Fall, et. al. (2013). Intercultural communication apprehension and emotional intelligence in higher education: preparing business students for career success. Business Communication Quarterly, 76 (4).