We all know one or two people who like to brag about their work ethic. They tell stories about working through the flu or a cold, or talk about how they haven’t taken a day off in twenty years. This level of dedication is admirable and nothing short of astonishing, but it’s not something that’s reserved for superhumans only.
Having a good work ethic is something that can be learned, not a trait reserved for a lucky few. You are not stuck with the habits you were born with, and you are not stuck with the ideas you currently hold about yourself. Even the biggest procrastinators on earth can become extremely disciplined workers with a little bit of practice and patience.
Whatever it is that motivates you to work harder, here are four useful tips to help you improve your work ethic:
1. Understand Why You Want to Improve Your Work Ethic
Understanding yourself and the source of your motivation is the main factor in developing your work ethic. It’s difficult to create work rules for yourself when you’re not sure about what your main goals are or your reason for wanting to achieve them. There are a lot of ways to help you get in touch with yourself to figure these things out. Among the most popular methods, you can try journaling, meditating, or speaking with a mentor. Getting a coach is one of the newer and more effective ways to straighten out your goals and get serious about work and personal projects.
2. Be Competitive
Measuring your performance against that of others will help you go a little further than you might have just by working on your own. Strive to surpass what others who have similar goals or work roles have done. Pick a high achiever and try to beat their record, score, time, etc. Being competitive with yourself is another great way to push yourself to further limits. Always try to do better or more than you did previously and your performance and results are bound to improve.
3. Eliminate Your Distractions
Restrict yourself from social media while at work or spending time on personal projects. Resist the urge to look things up every time a curious thought comes into your head. Turn off your phone if you find yourself texting or playing games too often. These habits won’t help you improve your performance and they won’t lead to paying increases either. Get rid of your distractions now.
4. Treat Your Body Right.
A lot of hard workers will go into work sick to avoid falling behind. However, it’s better to prevent getting sick in the first place by eating right and getting adequate rest. Making time for exercise, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, taking multivitamins, and getting seven hours of sleep are good ways to avoid missing work and maintain strong focus while there.
Knowing what keeps you motivated and being a little bit competitive raises your personal and work standards. Caring for your body is not only good for your physical health, but it will also have positive effects on your career. It takes time and patience to adopt these traits and practices, but if you persist, your work ethic will improve.
