I just read My Investing Blog‘s article I Got 3 Raises On My Job Last Year – How Did I Do It? Hank discusses all of the things he did the past year to earn raises and a promotion. This inspired me. I’m going to work harder and smarter this year to not only get a better raise but get a promotion!I’ll admit, I get caught up in the daily grind sometimes and just muddle along in my work. My work gets done and my group is managed but sometimes it’s just getting done; I’m not going the extra mile.
Here’s what I’m going to do to get ahead this year:
- I’m going to show the senior in my group everything I can and increase her responsibilities. This will give me a stronger employee who will help me be more productive. She’s already really strong, but if I push her I may be able to get her promoted. The better she is the more projects I can work on.
- As well as my senior, I’m going to delegate more responsibilities to the rest of my group. I want them to be more accountable for their work and have a better understanding of their business. This will not only make our group more productive but it will make them more marketable if they should ever want to find another job. I want smart workers not zombies and if they can do better elsewhere then more power to them.
- I’m going to become an Email Ninja! Leo from Zen Habits wrote a great 10-step list for Tim Ferriss‘ blog on how to better manage emails. I can easily receive a hundred emails in a day and I need to better manage my in-box.
- I’m going to be my manager’s right-hand man. With my group taking on more responsibilities I’ll be able to work with my manager more and take projects off of her desk (which will make her more productive for her boss, the VP).
I believe these goals are achievable. I have a good team and I know they can do more. My senior has been a beast with the work she already does so I know she can take on more. And in my review last year my boss said I could possibly be up for promotion.
Wish me luck!
What can you do to make yourself more productive and marketable
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey FFB – thanks for the link love – like the idea a lot; and as for your plan, it is definitely workable, and I’m sure it will be worth your time (and therin, money).
That’s what I’m hoping, though more interesting work is a bonus too. That’s for the inspiration!
You have a great perspective and understanding on what it will take to move ahead. I sit on the other side of the desk. It disappoints me now to see a younger generation that runs form work. Its Saturday morning (I got in a little after 7:00a), we have closed a large acquisition in November and we now have to integrate their financials into ours for year-end. It will be a long week-end, and month for that matter. Some in my group will determine it is too hard and quit others will step up and excel. These will be our future leaders. It sounds like you have chose the second group. Success is a journey. You can’t just parachute in.
Best Wishes,
Dividends4Life
Thanks Dividend…I used to look at those people who were in privileged work positions and be jealous of them. How come they get the great jobs? Then I realized it’s because they work their butts off! Sweat and elbow grease are most important.
Good luck on your acquisition!