Saturday, October 18, 2008

It's Time to Work Smarter and Harder

By Pamela Jett

We are all familiar with the old saying "work smarter not harder" and for years I have been teaching professionals how to do just that. And then the other day I was having a conversation with a colleague that made me realize that in our current economic environment, that advice is not only trite, it is foolhardy. I believe at this time it is imperative for professionals, whether an employee, leader, or small business owner, to work both smarter and harder.What does that mean? I think it takes a combination of both smarts and tremendous effort and energy to stay so valuable to your organization (and/or your customers) that if and when downsizing or reorganizing impacts your organization; you will not be one of the first to be "voted off the island". There is no such thing as job security and when times become tough, it is up to each of us to become even more proactive about our career development. Sometimes that means we must not only think strategically (that's the "smarter" part), we must spend more effort and energy in implementation and/or take bigger steps out of our comfort zones to develop new skills, contribute in new ways, and take on new responsibilities (that's the "harder" part). Here are three powerful ideas to help you work smarter and harder.

1. Know your leader's pain (and their leader's pain) and be a pain reliever. Every leader has his or her hot buttons or pet issues. They also each are under pressure from their leader to produce results. The savvy professional pays attention to the issues that cause the most stress or strain on their leadership and work very hard to leverage their contributions to ease their leader's pain. We each have limited time in a day and while during tough economic times we might find ourselves working longer hours or taking on more projects, we also want to be cognizant of the value of each project. Are you proactively seeking ways to keep your plate full of high-leverage projects and responsibilities? Or, are you simply taking the assignments that are given to you? The savvy professional doesn't wait for their leaders "pain" to be handed to them. They look for the pain (smarter) and work (harder) at finding ways to relieve that pain.

2. Make or save your organization money and brag about it. During tough economic times, most organizations (and customers) are taking a closer look at every dollar spent. And, they are paying very close attention to revenue streams. Regardless of your position in your organization, you have the opportunity to make or save your organization money. It is time to start focusing on that part of your job even more. That might mean being more proactive when negotiating with vendors, looking for alternative ways to accomplish more with less, or spending a bit more time prospecting to fill the sales funnel. When you make or save your organization money, it is imperative to brag about it. Now is not the time to be a shrinking violet or shy about tooting your own horn. Keep a spreadsheet that logs the money you are making and/or saving. Then, send your leadership regular up-dates. Be willing to speak up in meetings and share when appropriate. If you are waiting for others to notice your efforts, it won't happen. They are far too busy managing their own career success to be focused on yours! Now is the time to speak up!

3. "Empty your pockets to feed your mind and your mind will feed your pockets". This can be challenging advice to take during tough economic times. At a time when every dollar counts, many of us might be tempted to cut back on our personal investment in our skills and abilities. Perhaps you are thinking about returning to school for an advanced degree (smart and hard), but have decided to put it off (even though your organization currently compensates you for the much of the cost). Or, you have been thinking about buying some books with money from your own pocket to help you become more proficient with a computer program and you are hesitant to spend the money. While I am not advocating senseless spending or personal fiscal irresponsibility, I urge you to consider that now is not the time to be "penny wise and dollar foolish". What if attaining an advanced degree is valued in your organization or on your career path? Having that degree might keep you employed or make you more employable in the future. Being more proficient with a computer program will allow you to be more productive and make a greater contribution to your organization. Yes, it can be hard to make the personal sacrifice and invest in yourself. However, in the knowledge economy (as opposed to a time/labor economy) in which most professionals work, your skills and abilities are really all you have to offer your current or future employer. Be wise, invest in yourself. Now more than ever, that is both smart and hard!

We are living in challenging times. Now is the time to work both smarter and harder. If you have suggestions on how to do this, I would love to hear from you. Drop me a note at Pamela@Jettct.com or comment on this blog. If you would like more ideas on how to advance your career, visit the success store at http://www.jettct.com/ to learn about Pamela's powerful 4 audio CD series Mind Your Own Business - A Career Advancement System.

Pamela Jett, CSP is a communication skills expert who believes that words matter. You can find information about her including how to bring her to your next meeting or event when you visit http://www.jettct.com/. Or, you can call Aimee at 1.866.726.5388. By Pamela Jett