Most of us have a pretty strong idea of how we would like our career path to go. Unfortunately, not all of us can actualize those dreams. Sometimes this is a bad thing. We might been gunning for a promotion for some time only to have it taken away from us due to a failing of responsibility, or some other missable issue we might not have counted on. However, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, missing our potential career can help us find a new direction, something we would much rather spend our time doing.
However, those of us that are resourceful, able and have a little luck can find ourselves moving up the ladder. However, sometimes this can be at a great cost to valuable elements of our life. For this, we would like to offer some advice. First of all – if you hope to raise to the top of the ranks you should go for it. However, don’t raise the ranks at any cost. Let us explain why sometimes being patient can be the best policy going forward:
Social Cost
It can sometimes be that getting to the top of a certain ladder means stepping on others during your ascent. This is not unheard of. Selling out others, finding methods of finding flaws in other’s work, or playing dirty to try and get ahead and seem worthwhile to the boss is not only sycophantic, but you lose something of your soul when that happens. On top of that, everyone below you knows that you are willing to go that extra step in order to get ahead. This will not be looked at kindly.
Not only is this a relatively inadvisable issue in the first place, but it can often poison your networked relationships. These might have been office friendships or contacts you’ve spent time building. Of course – competition for a promotion is healthy. It can often be required. But it’s important to ensure you play fair and continually resemble yourself in the best light. Because if you sour your own reputation, you’ll find long term consequences that you will struggle to be rid of.
Work/Life Balance
Many of us wish to work during most of the day in order to get ahead. All of us are in pursuit of a dream, and most of us know that in order to actualize those dreams, we need to put the time in. However, some people can take this much too far and end up harming themselves. Stress, burnout, fatigue, all of this can occur with little intention. In fact, feeling only these examples (out of many) can potentially lead you to forcibly take weeks and weeks off work.
It’s essential to have a competent and acceptable work/life balance as a result. If you can do that, then you’ll be able to destress at the end of the day. Think about what that might look like to you. Perhaps you’re happy to put in 12 hour days each day, but you might be able to arrange with your boss to take Friday afternoon off as a result, giving you 2.5 days to recover. Perhaps you wish to get rid of your second part time job in order to focus on your full time with added direction and ability.
But first, it’s important to know what your work/life balance looks like. We would recommend using the strongest elements of motivation to help plan your days. For example, how much time are you spending time with your family? If you never see your kids and only return home in the dead of night, it could be that the cost of your renewed contribution at work needs to be rearranged, if not completely shifted.
Remember – before an employee, you are a human. And ironically, helping yourself as a human will help you become a better employee. More forward-thinking businesses are starting to realise this, and thus are finding methods of helping their employees relax and feel comforted. If you can have this candid conversation with your boss (provided you’re not asking to be let off the contractual responsibilities you have agreed to,) then you might just get further than you think. We would like to wish you luck as you try to move forward to find a healthier work/life balance, as it’s not always that easy.
Learn The Power Of ‘No’
The word ‘no’ seems like something absolutely unheard of when it comes to speaking to our boss, or having to abdicate tasks we are being asked to do. But it can be the most powerful word we ever use to protect our rights at work. This is not some mystical incantation that will cast a spell to stop anyone bothering you at work ever again. If only that was the case.
But ‘no’ can actually be quite powerful should you be consistent and careful with its use. For example, for the fourth consecutive week, your boss might be asking you to come in and forgo your weekend so that the projects of the week can be finished in time. Due to the efficiency of the department, you are somehow expected to pick up the tab, simply because you’ve accepted before. You might have once thought this would be a good way to get noticed and potentially promoted. But now you know that your boss is exploiting your good faith.
Here’s where the word ‘no’ can come in. Add an explanation if you like. But you’re often not absolutely required to. It might be that someone keeps asking you to swap shifts with them, and you know that’s just so they can continue to party more conveniently. This is where ‘no’ can come in.
On top of that, think about your recent treatment. Perhaps you’ve been injured at work, and you know that it wasn’t your fault. Should you accept that and not cause chaos? No! You should contact professional lawyers, such as Marks & Harrison, to see what compensation you are owed. If you can do this, you’ll learn how to defend yourself more appropriately.
With this advice, we hope you are much better able to raise the ranks, but not at any cost.
