How smart are you? Do you know what it means to be smart? Everyone seems to know the broad definitions, but when it comes to the real deal, many falter. To state the obvious, calculators have replaced the need for humans to memorize number manipulation techniques. Scheduling apps and other productivity tools have reduced dependence on humans to the barest minimum. We have programmed our machines to do the hard, numerical, analytical, and technical work. To become a smart worker in today’s business world, you must realize that the rules are not the same anymore.
The Rules Have Changed
For aeons, much emphasis has been laid on the importance of hard work. However, that norm is gradually fading away as the need for smart work has gained prominence. Employers are shifting their focus from hard workers to smart workers.
In today’s world, being a smart worker is a skill that transcends your ability to do what a mobile app can do with better efficiency and with fewer errors. The rule of the game is that you must know how to utilize smart tools, reduce cost and do more in less time.
A smart worker is not learning to compete with artificial intelligence (AI), but training to combine Intelligent Quotient (IQ) with Emotional Intelligence (EI) to solve complex problems and achieve set targets.
7 Ways to Become a Smart Worker
According to an article by Nakuri, a smart worker sets goals and is constantly working towards them; understands the importance of planning and prioritizing, and thinks innovation over status-quo.
While a hard worker prides him/herself in the number of hours spent on a particular task, a smart worker understands that time is a priceless asset and as a result, aims to achieve the same results in lesser time. For a smart worker, hard work means delivering excellent results consistentlyand efficiently.
To become a smart worker in 2021, a proper understanding of the concept of SMART goals is pertinent. It is a big step to becoming productive in your work or business.
1. Learn How to Prioritize
Activity doesn’t always equal productivity. Companies and businesses exist to achieve set goals, therefore, every activity within the organization must be geared towards the attainment of these goals. Whatever actions you are engaged in as an employee or worker must be directed at your organization’s goals. Hence, the need to prioritize your tasks and activities.
Start by making a comprehensive list of tasks you need to execute. To properly prioritize your tasks, estimate the time required for each task, then work your way up the list. A sense of timing creates deadlines, helping you stay alert till all tasks are completed.
If you are going to prioritize and follow-through, eschewing procrastination is important. As much as possible, don’t put stuff off for later. Learn to refuse extra commitments you will not be able to attend to.
Lastly, learning how to prioritize your tasks is not enough, you must practice and develop the discipline needed to work on the tasks.
2. Define Your Focus Per Time
Don’t fall for the illusion of what is important. Every task that comes your way would look or feel urgent, you must be able to define your focus per time. If a customer is waiting to be attended to, that has to come ahead on your priority list. If your boss wants a report on his/her desk, your good reasons for not delivering may not save your job. Define your focus per time, every smart worker does.
The importance of focus can not be overemphasized. The truth about being and staying focusedis that it is a choice. Having a to-do list is beautiful and a great step towards success, however, the ability to focus on what matters most per time is necessary.
Avoid unnecessary multitasking, you are more productive when you focus your attention on one task per time. Focusing on one task at a time will help you pay attention to things that matter.
3. Be Creative
Creativity always takes the win ahead of the status quo. By finding new or better ways of doing regular tasks, you are bringing more value to the table. Anybody can stick to a schedule for doing stuff, but every smart worker understands that it is the extra value they bring to the table that would set them apart.
Don’t just do stuff the regular way. Break your patterns from time to time. Switch things up within approved boundaries. Offer a new idea. Research a better way of doing things. discover new or better technologies. A smart worker is usually the go-to person for new and better ideas.
Employ creativity in carrying out your tasks. Without a touch of creativity from time to time, even the most interesting of tasks or work becomes boring. Learn how to approach your work differently would help rise through the ranks faster. Take advantage of technological tools, think creatively, go the extra mile always.
4. Understand Your Colleagues
Yes! If this came as a surprise to you, then you need to up your game quickly. To become a smart worker, you must understand the importance of leverage and synergy. Your efficiency and effectiveness also depend on your colleagues – how responsive they are to you.
You have to understand the people you workwith. Understanding how they work, how they like to be spoken to, how they respond to things, and the likes would help you keep a productive working relationship with them.
Understanding the people in your workspace will make teamwork easy for you. And you know what they say about teamwork making the dream work, right? Don’t be push it, don’t force it, just understand and relate with them accordingly.
With this understanding and cordial relationship in place, you will not find it difficult to seek help or assistance from your colleagues, whenever you need it. Amazingly, in trying to understand your colleagues better, you also get to understand how the organization works.
5. Get Better at Effective Workplace Communication
Communication is a two-way street. For communication to be termed effective, all parties involved must be clear on the subject and action points, where one exists. A smart worker must be able to communicate in very clear terms.
Communication is an art that anyone can learn and master. Workplace communication is the art of exchanging information and ideas within a workplace. The ability to communicate with everyone in your workspace effectively is very necessary if you desire to become a smart worker.
To become a smart worker, you must know the different types of communication, especially as it concerns the workplace. A smart worker makes getting better at his/her workplace communication skills a priority. Start by becoming a good listener, listen to understand not just to respond or make your point.
6. Have a Positive Mindset
There is so much a positive mindset will help you achieve if you want to become a smart worker. No company wants to hire and keep another pessimist on their team. Having and maintaining a positive mindset would attract the right people to you for the right reasons.
Having a positive mindset entails open-mindedness, objectivity and high optimism. These qualities may seem regular, but in truth not everyone possesses them and those who do, developed them deliberately.
Even when things seem not to be going great, don’t lose your optimism. Keeping a positive mindset would affect your attitude for good, making you a choice candidate for leadership. To become a smart worker, shy away from being a wet blanket.
7. Be Consistent
A smart worker is consistent. Develop strong grit and staying power. Consistency would beat talent any day, any time! You cannot be a smart worker if you are not consistent. Consistency must be a core value for the man who is looking to attain greatness in life.
Consistency is what separates the average staff from the excellent staff. Without consistency,it is difficult to prove your worth. A lack of consistency places you on the same pedestal with mediocre. That’s not who you are, you are a smart worker, deserving of recognition and honour in the workplace. mediocrity will always stand in the of your workplace success.
Without consistency, exceptional results can never be achieved as there will be no room for improvement.
Summary
No amount of technological advancement can replace the services of a smart worker. A smart worker is a great asset to any organization. A smart worker is very valuable in today’s business world. Becoming a smart worker allows you to achieve more in record time.
Discipline and consistency are vital if you want to become a smart worker. The tips shared in this post are not rules, they are simply tools that can help you. Take advantage of them and should you require further assistance, please request to speak to our career consultants.
Cheers to your career success!
Author: Emenike Chijioke
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