Black Collegian Career Center

Increase Your Self-Discipline

"Winners are people who do jobs uncommonly well even when they don’t feel like doing them at all." - Anonymous

Most people are able to do bang-up jobs when they are in high spirits. The real test comes when they are not feeling motivated, or particularly energetic. Aren’t these good enough reasons to call in sick or behave like nasty martyrs at work? No!

Resolve to maintain your discipline even in during your low points. Cashing your paycheck carries a certain responsibility: To give your employer 100% at all times. Consistently applying full effort to the job, despite your mood, will is the mark of a highly effective employee.

Display Consistent Kindness

"A great man shows his greatness by the way he treats little men." - Thomas Carlyle

Successful people don’t swing their weight or intimidate others. They realize that everyone needs the support and assistance of others. Thus, it is foolish to burn bridges and alienate people you may need one day.

Regardless of whether you need them or not, treating others poorly cost you dearly in the way of self-esteem. Can you feel good about yourself if you are upsetting or neglecting others? And if you don’t feel good about yourself, how effective can you be?

Set Stretch Goals

"Realistic goals: Beyond your grasp—but within your reach." – Anonymous

A pilot spoke the following words to his passengers over the loudspeaker: "Folks, I have good news and bad news. We’ve got beautiful flying conditions, and have made excellent timing. The bad news is—I have no idea where we’re going!" The bad news greatly outweighed the good, didn’t it? So it is with your career.

Without goals that are clear in your mind; goals to which you are firmly committed, your "career flight plan" is flawed. Highly successful employees make goals. They write them down and place them in a visible area so that they are reminded of them on a daily basis.

Welcome Criticism

"Don’t mind criticism. If is it untrue, disregard it. If is unfair, keep from irritation. If it is ignorant, smile. If it is justified, learn from it." - Anonymous

Criticism can sting, but successful employees seek feedback rather than avoid it. After all, how else will you know what to improve upon? Don’t fool yourself into thinking other’s opinions don’t matter. In the business world, your credibility and reputation play a key role in how far—and quickly—you move ahead. Soliciting input from others invariably leaves you with a clearer view of your blind spots. Becoming defensive and hostile when faced with constructive criticism may protect you from the truth—but at the same time it will greatly limit your potential.

Be a Star Team player

"It is amazing how much people can get done if the do not worry about who gets the credit." - Sandra Swinney

Successful employees "play well with others." They build a strong support system with their teammates in a number of ways:

• giving credit where credit is due, rather than hogging the spotlight
• refraining from gossip and unhealthy competition
• pitching in willingly when others are drowning in work

Show Boundless Enthusiasm

"People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents." - Andrew Carnegie

Enthusiasm really is contagious, and star employees realize the effect their attitude has on their mood and productivity. Constantly whining and complaining depletes valuable resources of energy. Can you afford it? The same situations presented to a negative and positive person are usually handled differently. An optimist looks forward to change and even problems with enthusiasm. Interestingly enough, good things seem to always come their way too!

Tackle Opportunities

"Sometimes only a change of viewpoint is needed to convert a tiresome duty into an interesting opportunity." - Alberta Flanders

There is a saying that opportunities often come disguised in work clothes. The message, of course, is that opportunities are everywhere for those willing to buckle down and create them. Successful employees look at the weaknesses within their organization as avenues to show their skill and leadership. Their less accomplished coworkers sit back and wait for opportunities to come to them on a silver platter. It rarely happens that way. What needs fixing at your organization? Why wait for "them" to take care of it?

Developing habits of success is not easy. If they were simple, everyone would be doing them. You can become a highly effective employee by resolving to put these winning skills to use daily.