Saturday, October 06, 2007

Get Paid More and Promoted Faster

Get Paid More and Promoted Faster
By Joe Farcht

Everyone wants to get paid more and promoted faster. It is just human nature. But who knows what they must do to be recognized as a high performer worthy of being paid more and promoted faster? There are many things you can do and I’ve chosen to share three with you.

Develop Good Work Habits:

Most people are time wasters not because they deliberately waste time but because they have picked-up poor work habits, perhaps attitudes, and unproductive ways of working from other people. And they are largely unaware of those unproductive work habits and attitudes. To develop good work habits a person needs to become aware of new ways of working that are more efficient and productive. They can do that by self-study in the area of time management like from the book The Time Trap by Alec Mackenzie. Or they can develop good work habits by being led through a work skill and attitude development process like Mastering Productivity (Leadership Advantage, Inc. program). Practicing new more effective and productive ways of working over a period of time will result in good work habits and attitudes. You will distinguish yourself from others who waste some of their time.

Know How to Set Priorities:

Many people set priorities from the piles of papers on their desk, by the next person who walks in the door, or by a deadline that is looming because of procrastination. According to a survey of 104 chief executive officers, Brian Tracy notes that 84% agreed that the most important work quality was the ability to set priorities. Setting priorities separate the important from the unimportant. I call the important priorities High Payoff Activities (major work activities you engage in to earn your wages). Spending more time in your High Payoff Activities makes you more productive accomplishing the right work. A person setting priorities, working with good work habits and attitudes, and producing quality work is the person who will get paid more and promoted faster.

Exhibit a Sense of Urgency:

If you are known for being quick and responsive, dependable, and a producer of high quality work, then you will immediately stand out from other employees. According to the same survey of Chief Executive Officers, less than 2% of employees have a sense of urgency and are always on the fast track to promotion. If your supervisor knows he or she can depend on you to complete quality work quickly, your future is assured. If your supervisor doesn’t appreciate you for these qualities, get another supervisor who is appreciative.

Good work habits and attitudes, setting appropriate priorities in accordance with your High Payoff Activities, and working with a sense of urgency to complete quality work will make you stand out as a high performer in your company. That status will get you paid more and promoted faster. With the shortage of quality workers in our country, it is imperative to keep high performers. Becoming a high performer provides you with work security for your future.