Work better: useful tips

In a frenetic and competitive society, how can we work well in order to obtain the best possible results?  Here are 10 practical tips to follow; useful suggestions to maximise performance with the minimum of effort.

1 Show your expertise when you possess the right skills

It is pointless to beat about the bush: if you have the right skills it is a good idea to let people know by demonstrating your expertise in that area, but if you don’t possess them it’s better to keep quiet.

2 Never criticise anyone in front of others

Criticism is an indispensable thing for sure, but if you want to do things correctly, it is better that it is done in private, so as not to make an enemy of the person in question.

3 Surround yourself with good team members, but of a similar level to yourself

As well as helping to build a team among which there is a feeling of mutual respect, this helps to improve results.

4 Only carry out tasks which create enthusiasm

Even though, in the short term, unappealing tasks can be carried out excellently, in the long term they become less and less appealing and, day by day, the standard to which they are completed will continue to fall.

5 Avoid saying that something isn’t working unless you have a good solution

Complaining about a problem without offering a solution only serves to make the current situation worse:  if something isn’t working you should only mention it if you have a good solution up your sleeve.

6 Put your mistakes down to experience and learn from them

In order to work well, it is important to learn from your mistakes, so as to avoid repeating them in the future.  This will allow you to show that you are attentive, precise and reliable.

7 Be interested and proactive

In a professional context, only those who take an interest and are proactive obtain good results:  those with a slack approach are never viewed in a good light either by bosses or colleagues.

8 Identify your priorities and focus on them

Considering that a person’s energies are not limitless, it is essential to identify the most important things to be done and dedicate your full attention to those before all others.

9 Show that you are open-minded and constructive

Being open-minded and constructive rather than aloof or indifferent will make you more popular at work, as well as helping you to grow professionally.

10 Do not work all hours

Good, intensive work can be rewarding, but over-work can lead to a significant reduction in performance.  If the tasks to be done are always numerous, it is important to divide them up.

Translated by Joanne Beckwith