A Year’s Worth of Resolutions for Employees

A few weeks ago I listed 12 resolutions for business owners, managers, & supervisors to adopt in 2010. Sure it was audacious, but aren’t all such lists at this time of the year? Not to be left out, employees now have a list for themselves. As with the other one, the hope is that working these concepts and activities into your worklife will result in a happier and more productive you.

So here goes:

1. Discover your strengths: remember the book: “Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow”? Same concept. There is something magical about it.

2. Leave your personal life at the door: think of it as a respite, an oasis if you must, but personal problems only muck up the workplace.

3. List what you can do to add (more) value to the organization: the boss may not realize all you can offer. Once you know what you can add, go tell the boss.

4. What can you take off your supervisor’s plate? Another boss-pleaser.

5. Find a “junior” employee to mentor: even if you are not a Baby Boomer who plans to retire soon, mentoring someone places you in a position of leadership, ready to be promoted.

6. Realize that you’re in charge of your own morale: are you waiting for management to “do something” about morale around here? Wrong.

7. Determine the temperament of your supervisor: figure out how he or she thinks; what kinds of projects they prefer? This knowledge will help you know how to communicate with them better.

8. Think about what you can do to ensure a respectful work environment: are tasteless jokes and emails running through the office? Knock it off. Be professional: you can still be friendly.

9. Take a class or training that will help you do your job better: stretch your knowledge and abilities. Now you are more valuable to the company.

10. Teach your new skills/knowledge to your coworkers. This ensures you have mastered the info and places you in a leadership position even if you don’t have the title.

11. Make sure your heart is in your work: Are you bringing yourself fully and gratefully into everything you do? What would it take for that to happen? Is this an alien concept for you to consider? Older generations stayed for decades in jobs they hated, these days employees jump around at the drop of a hat. Bring your heart to your work.

12. Talk with your supervisor about the big picture: one of the biggest differences between your job and your boss’ is that their view of the company is holistic. It is referred to as the view from 30,000 feet, where they can see the flow, what’s coming and going, what’s on the “horizon”. You, however, are in the “trenches”, as the metaphor marches on. What’s it like from their perspective?

There you have it. It can be a great 2010: a year of growth for you and better awareness of your value for your boss. Enjoy!