Work Attitude
From tailoragoodlife.com, “Your mindset is how you see the world around you. And your attitude is how you interact with the world according to how you see things.”
Either word will fit when it comes to making a positive approach to each day and, especially, toward your job.
Most employers want to see their employees have a good attitude toward their work. Those who do not have a good attitude often create problems for others by not doing all they are asked to do which can lead to others having to finish what is their responsibility. The good attitude gets a little harder to carry when that happens.
It is not hard to understand why those individuals are the first to go when layoffs are needed. Companies always cut labor costs when sales slump.
Stand Tall and Stand Out
Confidence is contagious. So is a positive attitude!
I had a problem with this statement early in my career. I had doubts about my skills and was somewhat of an introvert.
I was fortunate when the company I worked for was bought out by a much bigger company that was sensitive to this concept of confident employees.
A Big Toast to Toastmasters!
Our new employer suggested that I join a Toastmasters Club. What is that, you ask? They are a speaking club. That is, they have a group of members who want to develop as public speakers or just get more confident speaking before a group.
The year I spent going to monthly meetings was one of the best growth experiences of my life! It greatly enhanced my ability to participate in meetings and committees.
You should consider doing the same or just take a class in public speaking. It is a great way to overcome your fears of speaking before others.
At the end of my year with Toastmasters, I got the award for the most improved speaker! However, up until then, I was known as “The Wizard of Ahs!”
Be Positive and Helpful
I will repeat myself many times throughout my blog posts regarding the need to carry a positive attitude, through thick and thin.
It is easy to be positive. However, a true leader needs to display confidence in the hard times. They must display faith in their fellow employees that they can help find the answer to the problems at hand. A group effort will always produce a greater number of positive changes than just one person.
Smile
Being positive is much easier when you smile. A smile is contagious. Be the carrier!
Your day will be more fun when you smile. Is there anything wrong with being happy?
Take Change with a Smile
Companies are separate legal entities from employees. Employees keep a company going but sales volume determines how many will be employed.
Back in the 1980s, there was a huge amount of layoffs. Long-term employees found themselves in an unexpected position. They had to find another job.
I was among those who were fallout of corporations trying to go private with funding by junk bonds. I had been with that company for 13 years. I found myself lacking in skills and education to compete in the job market for what I thought I needed.
That was a period that I could have considered changing careers. However, I did not.
I took a couple of computer language classes and then decided to go back to college and get my master’s degree, with evening classes.
Re-Tool with a Smile
Education will only take you so far. Continuous education, including self-education, self-study, will keep you current and possibly ahead of the education curve that allows you to be competitive in the job market.
Some career fields require self-study or classes to acquire annual C.P.E. (Continuing Professional Education). If you want to maintain your value in the job market, you need to keep up with certification requirements.
The careers that require C.P.E. are affected by legal changes. Your friends in the state or federal government change laws that affect the way things are done in certain professions. Better study to see how they affect yours!
Whatever your job is, your efforts to learn more about that job or the company will benefit your pay potential. Remember, technology changes will affect most jobs. So, be prepared.
There is one skill that would be good for you to learn, that could prove very valuable, no matter what career you choose. That skill is selling! Learning to overcome rejections is a valuable skill, especially in selling ideas to your boss!
Careers Change with You
The main message of this post is that you must continue to learn about your industry, job, and technology.
How you are perceived in value will depend on your contribution to the company’s success and profitability.
Grow yourself and opportunities will open up for you in ways that will be totally unexpected!
Add Skills, Add Value, and Smile!
Regardless of what job you have, you must give it your best effort. Can you think of a better way to do it, after you have learned how it was done? Add to your skills and your perceived value will increase, along with your pay.
A smile and a positive attitude will help, as well!