Improve Process Efficiencies

A few weeks ago, I was talking to one of my best friends about his job search process. He told me that he spent hours every day looking for jobs, going through hundreds of applications per position.

He said that it was very time consuming, but he felt that he needed to do it because he had nothing else planned for the day. It was just a matter of investing your time in into it or not.

I gave him some tips that could help make his job search more efficient, such as organizing all of his materials in order of importance and using apps to track all of his applications. The app he mentioned also allows you to connect with other professionals at similar levels so that you can get second opinions or even referrals.

After we talked, he contacted me several days later to tell me that he had found a position! His new employment is full-time and he feels confident and prepared now.

Meet with management

As mentioned before, your manager is an integral part of your team’s success. They will play a significant role in determining how well you do your job, as well as whether or not you are promoted within The Company. Make sure to meet with them regularly to discuss business goals, project updates, and their perception of what you are doing every day.

If they perceive that you are not performing your duties effectively, then it may be time to look for another position. Or, if you are aware of someone else who could use your help, ask about opportunities to train or learn from them so you can better yourself and the company.

Your superiors and colleagues in The Office will also make a difference in how successful you are at achieving your goals and ambitions. When they see that you are unhappy, distracted, or lack motivation, then chances are others will suffer the same.

Whether you feel like you are being pushed aside or ignored, there are ways to address this without becoming too emotional. If you must become angry, try to work through it later when you feel more calm.

Avoid talking about things you should have done already, instead focus on the present moment and what you need to accomplish next. Also, keep track of all important meetings by using Google Calendar or something similar.

Meet with coworkers

A lot of times, higher level managers will have their subordinates meet for lunch or coffee to get to know them. This is not only helpful in building trust but also helps promote team work by having people chat about how well you work together.

If your manager does not make an effort to include his/her reports then it may be time to look for another job. You deserve to feel like part of the team and that your career can take off if they are both working towards a common goal.

In addition to eating with each other, there should be conversations about things beyond work. Finding out more about someone’s family, hobbies, etc. is important so don’t exclude those topics just because nobody asked before.

Running into complications at home can be flippant talk, so prepare for that! If something serious happens, you’ll be ready.

Another tip is to bring some food or drinks yourself so you aren’t buying anything. That way you won’t be making assumptions about what kind of grocery store they go to and whether or not they enjoy the type of milk you like.

Take a break

A few years ago, I read an article about how most successful business people take breaks. The writer mentioned that they spend time away from work to re-focus and refresh for future success.

He also noted that if you don’t give yourself these times, it can be difficult to maintain momentum and progress forward. Having breaks is essential in helping you achieve your goals.

It may sound weird at first, but I have found that taking breaks actually helps me retain more information related to my job. When I do not have enough rest, I begin to feel stressed and overwhelmed.

This stress can sometimes make me forget things or even lose motivation to perform tasks properly. By having short breaks every hour or so, I keep myself rested and organized.

I will usually go out somewhere for a couple of minutes or talk with a friend over the phone. This gives me some relief and keeps me motivated.

Journal about your mood

A simple way to improve your mental health is by journaling. This can be anything from writing down what you’re feeling, to making notes in diary style or using pre-existing templates that help you organize your thoughts.

By learning how to recognize and manage your emotions, you are teaching yourself how to cope better with stressors and life changing events.

It also helps to reduce feelings of depression and anxiety as some people find it easier to relate to their own experiences than reading about others’.

There are many ways to begin journaling, so pick one that feels comfortable for you and keep doing it! The best place to start is just half an hour every day, even if you only make a few entries each time.

As with any new behavior, setting a small routine will boost your engagement and effectiveness.

At the end of the session, make sure to either review what you wrote or simply take a break and come back later.

Organize your work space

A few small changes to how you organize your office or workplace can save lots of time in the long run. Many professionals find that their efficiency increases as they get into early morning, before school/work starts, by organizing their desks and workspaces ahead of time.

By being prepared, you’re already half way there!

You should always be one step ahead at least within your own home life. The same goes for your career — you never know when something may change, so why not be ready?

Think about it – what happens if someone else takes over your position this week? You would have wasted hours preparing the next day, and even more time trying to re-organize all of your things.

Avoid this by keeping some items in place and organized.

Identify your weaknesses

A small change may seem pointless, but it can make a big difference in how well you perform your job. If we were talking about changing our eating habits and diets, there’s no reason to believe that going without meat for one day is any better than having two pieces of toast.

So why not just eat less bread?

By understanding the underlying causes of poor performance, you can work to fix them. And if you're looking to improve efficiency, start with the basics by identifying what factors are preventing you from doing your bestwork.

The more you know about your job, the easier it will be to identify these reasons. By being aware of your strengths and weakness, you'll also have time to focus on improving those areas.

Develop your strengths

Even if you are not paid as much as other professionals, you can still improve your process efficiency and increase your pay. You do this by developing your strengths so that you do not have to worry about outside sources of income.

You may also want to consider becoming more efficient at the tasks or positions that you already hold. Being more efficient in your current position will only help your career!

By improving yourself here, you’ll find there is always something new you can learn that helps you achieve your goals. It’s like opening up a window to see what you can take from others and what works for them.

There is no wrong way to work, we all have our different styles.

Ask for help

A few years ago, I read an article that made a profound statement about business. The article stated that most people in business are very close to running out of ideas.

I think there’s some truth to this. We all have run out of ideas at times and it can feel like the walls are closing in.

At those times we need to ask ourselves one question: what is my job?

Is it telling everyone “good morning” or is it offering professional services such as writing, designing, marketing, etc.? If your job is not providing these things then you may want to reevaluate how you define yourself as a leader.

You may be in the wrong position!

Asking for help is a powerful leadership tool. You will find that by doing so you create win-win situations for both you and the person helping you.

Winners are individuals who understand the value of giving back and helping others succeed. It creates a feeling of satisfaction which cannot be matched.

It also helps them build trust and confidence in themselves and their abilities. By asking for assistance they show humility and self-respect.