Five Work Resolutions for 2014
With the new year underway, many have set their resolutions. But, a New Year's resolution doesn’t have to be just for your personal life. Consider these five things to work on for your business life in 2014.
1. Stop Playing the Power Game
Some people knowingly play the game by spreading soft rumors and hearsay, using email to go over people’s heads, and taking equal (or all of the) credit for a project when they shouldn't. Others aren't aware that they are promoting office politics because it is more difficult to be cognizant of one's own body language, especially when entrenched in work. Take a more mindful approach not only to what you do say but also to what you don’t say. Give credit where credit is due and brown-nose less.
2. Perception Is Everything
An old adage credited to Benjamin Franklin states, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." But, I’m willing to bet that if that adage were modernized, it would include judgment. People judge other people. This means that when you are having loud phone calls from your desk, people are likely judging you to be inconsiderate and selfish. When you are texting your friends during work, people may suspect you to be undedicated. And when you complain about the work conditions, compensation, or another coworker, people are more apt to judge you as untrustworthy, negative, or ill-mannered.
3. Figure Out Your Food Situation
Don’t abuse the microwave. Don’t monopolize it, don’t cook strange and smelly foods in it, and don’t create a mess that you fail to clean up in a timely fashion. Also, remember that the rules of table manners still apply, even when you’re eating at your desk. Additionally, eating at your desk every morning can make people think you are unprepared, unprofessional, and disorganized. After all, it seems like you couldn’t even grab a breakfast bar before you left home.
4. Get a Concept of Time
Late. Late to everything. Even worse is that the given excuse is “Sorry, I was taking care of something important.” Comments like that will make people hate you for two reasons: (1) You are late for work, a meeting, or an event, and (2) you have just inadvertently announced to coworkers that other things are more important than they are. While on the subject of time, stop scheduling or holding meetings super early in the morning or late in the afternoon. There is a sweet spot in the day for optimal meeting productivity, and it isn’t when coworkers are getting settled into their desks or tuning their mind to their lives outside of work for the evening.
5. Stick to Sick for Sick Days
You come to work sick, but you somehow manage to save those sick days for the release of a new video game, a sporting event, and your dog’s birthday. Don’t get me wrong, taking personal time can be a fantastic thing for long-term project productivity and personal health, but abusing the system only infuriates your coworkers. No one likes having to use their sick days because they got sick after you were too stubborn to take a day off to recover. Studies show that about 90 percent of US employees come to work sick, so if there is only one thing you decide to work on in 2014, this should be it.
What business-related resolution will you work on in 2014? What are the business resolutions you wish your coworkers would make? Tell us below.
