7 ways to become better at your job today

You can do many things to improve your performance at work, things that don’t occur to most people. How successful you are at work is determined largely by your attitude and how you spend your time. Here are 7 easy ways to improve your performance at work that you may never have thought of:

1. SET INTERIM GOALS AND REWARD YOURSELF ON ACHIEVING THEM The end-goal may be far away but don't let that stop you from taking a halt to smell the flowers along the way. Set clear milestones for interim success and reward yourself with a self-congratulatory break and private or public accolade at every deserved opportunity.

2. MANAGE YOUR PRIORITIES WELL The ability to set priorities is key to improving performance at work. Inculcate it! You must know how to separate the relevant from the irrelevant when facing the many tasks of the day. You must also possess a sense of urgency, the ability to get the job done fast.

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3. BE POSITIVE Develop a positive mental attitude. People like to be around and to promote employees they like. Everybody quickly notices a consistent, persistent attitude of cheerfulness and optimism. When you make an effort to cultivate an attitude of friendliness towards people, they will make extraordinary efforts to open doors for you.

4. FOCUS Focus is another key trait of productive professionals. Avoid distractions as much as you can. Focus on listening. Listen to your boss, but also pay close attention to your colleagues and subordinates. It pays off!

5. MULTITASKING IS NOT GOOD ALWAYS It's better to get one thing done properly than have 5 of them incomplete. In 2009, a group of Stanford researchers released a study that showed how people who do heavy multitasking do not pay enough attention to all of their key activities. Keeping up several email conversations at once while texting, jumping from one website to the next and trying to work at the same time is not a good idea. It's better to maintain a more streamlined workflow instead.

6. IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS Upgrading your knowledge and skills as a part of your life can really accelerate your career. Improve performance at work by continually upgrading your work-related skills and making sure that your superiors know about it. Seek out additional courses you can take to improve yourself at your job and discuss these courses with your boss. Ask your boss what books and audio programs you should read and listen to. Whatever he or she recommends, take his or her advice immediately. Then report back and ask for more. You will be amazed at how quickly this strategy brings you to the attention of the person who can most help you at each stage of your career.

7. GET SOME TIME AWAY FROM WORK You don't want to be burn out, right? It's good to be dedicated but not always great to be a workaholic. That means you need time away from the office when you don't check work email or let yourself think about the next project. It can give you a sense of control, of purpose, it can shake up your perception of time, and offer the space to expand cultural horizons and allow the kind of relaxed break everyone needs to refuel.