Compliment

Make others feel important. Compliment others, emphasize their strengths and contributions, and help them whenever you can. They will enthusiastically help you in return.

Networking

Join associations and professional organizations related to your career. In addition to helping you learn more about your industry, this can provide invaluable networking opportunities.

Volunteer

Expand your experience. Volunteer for special projects or assignments that are outside your everyday role and broaden your experience base.

Responsibility

Don't shirk responsibility, remember genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration". Reckon with weaknesses and compensate for them. Work towards excellence.

Goals

Discuss your duties and responsibilities; and establish your priorities. Set challenging, but achievable, short-term and long-term goals

Be strategic

Have a long-term career strategy or, at the very least, a sense for where you're headed.

Team player

Be a team player, and engage in team building efforts whenever you can. Be open to sharing your ideas with others and don't be closed to suggestions

Process

Save money for your company by identifying ways to boost revenues, reduce expenses, or streamline processes.

Dream Job

Your dream job must be identified. Before you start planning your future career, be sure you have identified your dream job.

Goals

Work in step with your company's goals. Connect the dots from your role to your company's vision and key objectives.

Responsibility

Take responsibility for your actions . If you're at fault, admit it and take the blame. If you're wrong, apologize.

Specialize

Today, companies look for specialists, not generalists. Develop a personal brand, distinguish your skills and strengths, and determine how to best market yourself.

Set goals:

Be clear on where you would like to go with your career and formulate a 1, 3 and 5 year plan to get there.

Learning

Take responsibility for your own development and make sure you stay ahead of the learning curve by constantly updating your professional skills and credentials.

Feedback

Learn to give and receive constructive feedback, to persuade effectively and to solicit help and garner resources. Effective communications also entail learning to listen actively and attentively

Keep the company's goals in mind:

Treat your company as your most important client and don't lose sight of the company's vision, mission, values and objectives in anything you do

Network

Whether it's through joining professional associations or being active in college or high school alumni clubs or other networking forums, it is important to remain networked

Upgrade

Upgrade your job:Bearing in mind that responsibility is taken, seldom given, always be on the look-out for new functions and responsibilities to add to your job description

Promotion

Promote yourself:Make sure others in the company, especially your superiors, know of your role and your accomplishments

Behavior

Be social and friendly with your boss, but do not attempt to be his or her best friend

Culture

Employers can have vastly different corporate culture models. Have an open mind and learn to embrace the corporate culture.

Career choice

Make your own career choices. There is no good reason to let someone else do this for you.

Approach

Never give up on a task. Instead, learn to readjust your approach when necessary. It is okay to take a break if you are overly frustrated.

Time Management

"Until we can manage time, we can manage nothing else."  Peter F. Drucker

Availability of Time: Not an Issue

I am short of time. Day's 24 hours are not enough for me. Wish I had more time. These are the various phrases we hear from many people often. But it is not true. Every body has enough free time after accounting for all the hours one spends on all the essential activities.

Here are the calculations for a typical week:

Total available hours 24 hours X 7 days = 168 hours
Minus Average sleep 7 hours X 7 days = 49 hours
Total waking hours = 119 hours
Average time at office 8 hours X 6 days = 48 hours
Average time commuting 2 hours X 6 days = 12 hours
Total work time = 60 hours
Total work time as % of waking hours 50% approximately
Free time available after accounting for work time and sleep time = 59 hours

Time availability, therefore, isn’t an issue. Most important thing is “how to take control of your time (and therefore, your life)”.

Every person has 168 hours a week. What you do with these hours impacts your life in short term as well as long term.

You Are a Great Time Manager

If you can manage or find time for:

• spouse
• children
• family
• professional work
• introspection and self improvement
• relationships
• sleep and relaxation
• hobbies and interests
• exercises and walks
• enjoying the nature
• reading
• humor and laugh
• music
• travel
• watching few good movies and few good television programs

Peculiar Nature of “Time” Resource

• Time is a “resource”; perhaps the most important resource of existing and emerging scenario
• Time can not be stored, it can not be preserved and so it is irretrievable once gone
• Time is not transferable; it is personal
• Time is irreversible
• No rework is possible on time
• Time itself can not be sold, therefore it can not be purchased
• Therefore, Time is a peculiar resource: needs to be handled differently and more carefully

Ask this question frequently: What is the best use of my time right now?

• Work out goals for a chosen period (or if possible, work our lifetime goals)
• Resolve goal conflicts
• Set priorities
• Select your top three goals
• List the possible activities for each of the three goals
• Set priorities to allow you to select the most effective activity to do now
• Prepare "weekly to do list" and then "daily to do" list
• Act as per priority activities chosen
• Choose the most effective way to accomplish the task
• Move on to the next priority task and so on till you achieve the goal

Resolve Conflict Between Urgent and Important Tasks

Go by the following sequence in terms of prioritising your tasks or activities:

1. Important but not urgent tasks (If you take these as your top priority, the urgent tasks will minimize. As urgency minimizes, your stress levels will also come down. Refer: work pattern questionnaire at http://managing-stress-strain.blogspot.com/)
2. Urgent and important tasks (You will have to take them up as priority but you should try to minimize instances of such tasks by concentrating on important but not urgent tasks)
3. Urgent but not important tasks
4. Not important and not urgent tasks

Thus, Time Management is a Five Stage Process

1. Planning: Goal setting/target setting, prioritizing the goals
2. Activity analysis: Selection of activities, eliminating or minimizing non-optimal/non-value adding activities
3. Prioritizing the activities and scheduling: Their sequencing, preparing activity network and putting them on a time line
4. Resource organization: Plan out and position the required resources
5. Execution, review and correction: Carry out the activities, review them on a planned basis and incorporate corrections/modifications to ensure timely and economic completion

Most Interesting Thing about Time Management: You Can't Waste It in Advance

This point holds a very important lesson to learn. And that is- howsoever badly you might have goofed on your time management in the past, the time that will be available to you from this moment onwards for your entire future is still intact, uncorrupted and full in quantity; as much as all of others will have.
So learn time management right now and apply it properly from now on. If you feel that you wasted your time in the past, you just have no power to waste the time that you have for your future. Your future still remains spotless. You lost nothing much, you can still make up for it and still go further.
You still have the power to plan out your tomorrow. Use all the good time management principles and reshape rest of your life on personal, family and professional fronts. Your second, third and many more innings can still be brilliant.
And its not too late either since tomorrow is just a day away from now.

Procrastinating (Thief of Time)

Why Do We Procrastinate?

• Boredom
• Fear

Areas of Procrastination

• Difficult people
• Boring tasks
• Risky/unfamiliar work
• Difficult phone calls
• Large projects
• Public contacts
• Small tasks

Pick on the two which you find particularly problematic and make them the focus of your attention over the next few weeks.

How Do We Procrastinate?

• Small versus large
• Perfectionist
• Phoning at lunch
• Waste of time
• Avoiding the task

Action Plan for Less Procrastination

• Commit yourself to start times.
• Break large projects down into manageable portions.
• Control the amount of paper on your desk.
• Prioritize your tasks.
• Reward yourself : Give yourself a deadline and then plan a treat when you reach it. This will give you something to look forward to.

refer Shyam Bhatawdekar’s website: http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com/

Meetings

Only attend meetings if you are on schedule with the tasks that are required of you. If you are behind, kindly ask your boss if you can skip it.

Self-confidence

Source: Shyam Bhatawdekar’s website: http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com

• Self-assurance
• Poise
• Self-possession
• Composure
• Coolness
• Calm self-assured dignity
• Buoyancy

>>>>Signs of self-confidence

• Impressive external personality
• Calmness and coolness in appearance and behavior
• Absence of tensions, stresses and strains
• Positive outlook
• Organized
• Absence of inferiority complex
• Absence of aggression and boastfulness
• Humility and modesty
• Absence of complaining and passing the blame

>>>>How to Build and Improve Self-confidence?

1. Keep balance- don't be under-confident and don't be over-confident
2. Good personal grooming
3. Impressive and acceptable dress sense
4. Use classy accessories (not necessarily very expensive)
5. Personal hygiene
6. Improve your appearance
7. Keep physically fit
8. Keep mentally fit
9. Keep a good posture
10. Walk smartly and faster
11. Don't bite your nails
12. Do a firm hand-shake
13. Stand by your fundamental truths or values
14. Keep examining your paradigms (mindsets) and change them if necessary
15. Openness to learn and to learn continuously
16. Openness to unlearn and to relearn
17. Keep positive outlook
18. Yet, be abreast with the realities of life
19. Keep up-to-date in knowledge in your technical/professional area and in human skills (behavioral and soft skills) (This is one most important factor in improving your self-confidence)
20. Keep up-to-date in skills/competencies in your technical area (hard skills) and human skills (behavioral and soft skills) (This is one most important factor in improving your self confidence) (
21. Focus on your strengths and only critical weaknesses and improve them
22. Control your anxieties and fears
23. Communicate effectively.
24. Have a good command over the languages through which you deal with others
25. Speak up whenever and wherever required
26. Don't mumble
27. Walk the talk (actions speak better than words)
28. Good sense of timing
29. Have an active orientation
30. Design successes by achieving your objectives and related tasks by way of seeking opportunities, joining opportunities and creating opportunities that suit your strengths.
31. Smart and hard work
32. Make decisive decisions.
33. Work speedily and then accelerate
34. Be energetic and exude enthusiasm while working
35. Handle mistakes calmly
36. Learn to be humorous and have fun
37. Build trust
38. Build team work.
39. Delegate effectively.
40. Use your and other people's (your subordinates’) creativity
41. Take care of your people.
42. Maintain good human relations
43. Compliment others (that makes you an I am OK- you are OK person)
44. Accept compliments graciously
45. Keep your eyes and ears open (without being a part of politics, being completely professional)
46. Learn the art of negotiating the system.
47. Be flexible in your approaches
48. Good interpersonal relations.
49. Be firm but friendly
50. Be friendly but not familiar (familiarity breeds contempt)
51. Be assertive (do not be submissive or aggressive)
52. Be dependable and live up to your promises
53. Live with integrity and dignity.

Challenges

When you are able to overcome challenges, you feel a sense of achievement.When you are able to tackle the problem successfully it tells you that you can push with yourself to face the challenges.

Excellence

When you strive for excellence in everything you do, you quite naturally surpass others in your work. That gets you ahead

Discipline

One should have discipline to do the things that need to be done on time. No one appreciates tardiness. Deliver on your promises be it to colleagues, clients or suppliers

Positive attitude

Career Tip: Maintain a positive attitude even in moments of stress. It makes you appear confident and in control. Your colleagues and superiors will notice this

Optimistic

Be optimistic There is positive energy in optimism. This energy propels you to do things as you feel there are better things to look towards.

Compatibility

Make every effort to be the easiest to work with in the office, this means not to complain and grumble each time there is a team meet. No one likes to work with someone who nags all the time

Be Competent

You will get a career booster because you are the most capable and competent on the team

Professionalism

You are a working adult now and it means being professional in the things you do. You need to conduct yourself with the highest of professional standards

Purpose

A sense of purpose can also mean knowing your role in the organization. Remember, no matter how low ranking you are or how fresh you are at work, we all have a role to play

Failure

If you fail, use it as a learning opportunity. It presents both sides of benefits. When you have less than desirable results, you learn from it

Challenges

Challenges force you to be creative with the way you tackle an issue.You need to figure a way out of the predicament you are in and almost always, there will be a resource issue.

Lying

Don't lie about your experience, education or achievements. Don't inflate your previous salary. Employers in these tough times have been verifying facts on applicants resumes

Professionalism

A way to show your professionalism is to pick up the tab for networking coffees, and send thank-you notes for even a little bit of help

Complaining

Don't bad-mouth your previous boss. Don't complain about your financial troubles. If you were fired from your last position for pilfering paper clips, don't mention it.

Prioritize

When you start in a new job, talk to your superior about your priorities. If you're not sure about what is most important, then ask him. And ask him again

Prioritize

Prioritize your objectives every week and enter them into a calendar or planner. Try to split your tasks into two categories: "Must Do This Week" and "Will Do When I Can".

Priority

Start on your most difficult tasks for the week first thing Monday morning. Once complete, the rest of your week will seem like a breeze

Responsibility

Whenever you start a new project at work the first thing you should do is read every piece of written material you can find on whatever you will be responsible for.

Grateful

Career Tip:Always be cognizant of what people are doing around you. Be vocally grateful if they assist you and assist them when you can. Your superiors will perceive you as being a team player.

Jobs

Get Clarity and focus on the three types of jobs you will pursue: 1) Ideal Jobs, 2) Back-Up/Realistic Jobs, and 3) Survival Jobs.

Recession

For a successful job search during recession, you must modify your job search methods and manage goals.

Tele Conference

Move sparingly and do not fidget.During a video conference, every movement is heightened by the camera.

Feedback

It is important to ensure that you feedback constantly to your boss about how things are going.

Strengths & Weakness

One should be aware of ones weaknesses and strengths while deciding their goals in the career

Confrontation

Discuss rather than confront.When your boss criticizes you, don't react out of emotion.

Defensive

Never be defensive about wrong decisions.Whenever you are wrong, admit it and move on.

Interview

Practice answering questions in advance and give examples frequently

Interview

While attending an interview, keep this in mind : How can I make yourself stand out when there are so many other candidates looking at the same job?

Interview

Before you attend your interview, remember that you are interviewing the company as well. Research the company through internet or trade publications

E-Mail

Don't ever send an e-mail without doing your research online first.

Mistakes

As a leader, don't hesitate to admit your mistakes, rather admit them openly.

Feedback

Ensure that you feedback constantly to your boss about how things are going.

Leaving your job:

Do not decide to leave your job just because your peers are leaving. Later you might glorify the job you left and regret why you decided to leave

Promotion:

Merely being intelligent, hardworking, and loyal is not enough anymore. Now you have to make a conscious attempt to promote yourself & your skills.

Resume

As a job seeker, your resume is always your sales pitch, highlighting qualifications, experiences, skills and passion to your potential employer.

Interview

If presented with an application, fill it out neatly and completely. Do not use "See attached resume" as a response to questions.

Changes

Give your team the ability to share with you the matters where they need changes. Recognize those who suggest positive changes & encourage them.

Repetitiveness

Don't repeat information that appears on the resume, except in the briefest, introductory manner and don't send a resume without a cover letter.

Thank You

Once the interview is over, send a thank you letter to all individuals with whom you interviewed. Build your professional network at all times.

Evaluate

Evaluate your performance. Strategise and evaluate what you have done. Document what has worked and what has not and make adjustments as needed.

Skills

The skills gained from your present job should not be wasted if you change your job. Find ways to re-use your existing skills in your new job.

Prioritize:

Learn to be more productive & successful by working on tasks that are more important rather than the tasks which interest you.

Take Rest

For a healthy mindset at your workplace get enough rest and sleep, avoid over-committing yourself to the work at hand and resist perfectionism.

Do your best

To be successful at work, the most important lesson is to give your best effort to every job assigned to you no matter how trivial it may seem.

Attitude

Be friendly & connect with colleagues from all departments. This way, they will be more willing to help you in case you encounter a problem

Interview

Maintain direct eye contact with the interviewer; this will show that you are confident in your abilities and that you have nothing to hide.

Salary Revision

Compare your starting salary, initial efforts & current results & then ask for a revision in salary confidently if you feel you deserve it.

Resume Skills

As you compile statements for your resume, prioritize them by importance, impressiveness and relevance to the job you want.

Productivity

It takes  real commitment to remain actively productive during working hours. Just keep in mind that real productivity pays off, big time.

Interview:

During the interview, do not get into salary details. Say that it depends on the job, and you would like to talk about it after a job offer.

Changing Careers:

While changing careers, find out if any specialized skills are required for your new career & also calculate the maximum growth prospects.

Do it right:

Ensure that no job leaves your hand until you know that you have done your best. Set high personal standards. Get it right the first time.

Panic:

The first thing is to be very disciplined in what you do and to plan very well. If you meet your daily targets there is no need to panic.

Resume:

If you have worked with someone that is well known in your industry, it could be a good idea to mention it on the resume.

Rules

To blend in with your office better and to know how things work, notice and learn the rules and norms followed by the people around you

Work Quality

Never hand in average work to your colleagues or supervisors. It will give an impression of not taking excellence at your job seriously.

Official Call

While on an official call, speak clearly & be polite at all times. Your voice & content should be clear to the person on the other end.

Profile:

A professional profile sells  your expertise to a potential employer, explaining why you are the best, and only, candidate for the job.