Love the Job You're With!

Last Valentines Day I wrote about Loving Your Community. Mid-Summer, my blog was about Loving your Local Industries and Businesses. This months love-related blog (HAPPY VALENTINES DAY) is about Loving your Job. I hope you take it to heart (-:

On Valentines Day and every day you should give your thanks, your faithful commitment, the very best of ALL you have to offer to your loved ones AND YOUR JOB! They deserve it. As for loving your job, there are many specific reasons why you should be dedicated to doing your best, as it not only helps your employer, it helps you well beyond your current pay and benefits. Where do you fit into the following statistics? 45 percent of workers in the U.S. say they are either satisfied or extremely satisfied with their current positions (meaning 55 percent are dissatisfied). Only 20 percent of those satisfied feel very passionate about their jobs. 33 percent of those who are dissatisfied believe they have reached a dead end in their career. However, these are not necessarily older workers, as a higher percentage of younger workers are displeased with their careers. Perhaps this is because of their ambition to climb higher, to earn more responsibility, and more money. Regardless, don't ever believe that your future employment prospects and career trajectory are beyond your control. On the contrary, you hold the keys. ALWAYS. It comes down to how well you perform your duties, in terms of efficiency and quality, your ability to work well with others, your reliability,along with a willingness to do more than expected or asked. Your skill level, your attitude, your character and competence all play a role in your advancement, and are all under the control of one person. YOU!

Are you the model (perfect example) of someone who works hard and smart at your job? Given your effort and contribution on a consistent daily basis, would you want to hire you? If not, why not? Are you loyal, dependable, productive and willing to do whatever is reasonably asked without complaint? Have you been pro-active and aggressive in seeking additional training, whether through in-house mentors and on-the-job training, and-or formal educational courses? Jobs today require that we be continuous life-long learners in order to keep up with the latest technology and other adaptations that result in new processes and procedures. It is critical that you don’t ever stop learning and striving to improve your job performance. Those who don’t will get left behind.

If you can say yes to all of the above questions and suggestions you are definitely helping your current employer to succeed, and that is what you were hired to do. With the right mix of employees having these attributes, not only are businesses transformed, but whole communities are judged up or down as a potential location by the work ethic and quality of the local workforce. That's because all companies want-need great people to work for them.

Make sure that your contribution at work is the type that your employer will brag about and from this effort you will find yourself in line for promotions and raises. I cannot over-emphasize the power of you at work. NOTHING is more important than the skill quality of the workforce in keeping any business running smoothly, profitably and as a result-- happily. This is why worker productivity, availability and capability (skills/smarts) are at the top of the list for companies that are considering any area as a potential location

Bottom line is that exemplary performance at work leads to various opportunities for advancement. When you consistently demonstrate your capabilities, you set a standard for excellence that is likely to be recognized by management. Employers always are likely to promote individuals who show exceptional dedication and deliver results. Your high job performance can act as a vehicle driving your career toward higher positions, which not only benefits you personally but also serves the interests of the company

Position yourself for future success. Love the job you're with!