They never miss a deadline, seem to be everyone's office favourite and always have a smile on their face — even on Monday mornings. They're productive employees, and while it might appear difficult to emulate their success, there are easy ways to make it happen.
"A lot of people want to go in and prove they are good enough for the office. My advice is to listen and understand the workplace before jumping to conclusions about it," says Hesham Shafie, president and CEO of sales and marketing company Brand Momentum in Toronto.
Shafie says productive employees have developed habits in their careers that helped them get this far. Productive employees are extremely open-minded, so if there are any changes in the office, they're usually accepting and adaptive. And while they may seem like they don't worry as much as others, they also spend a lot of time mapping out their goals and to-do lists in order to feel confident about their jobs.
And there are certainly perks to being happy at work. A 2011 Harvard Business Review article found that levels of happiness have a huge impact on workers' creativity, productivity, commitment and collegiality. Shafie says productive employees aren't faking it either — which a lot of people tend to do at offices.
To uncover some other secrets, Shafie has shared 10 of the most common things productive people do differently.
Secrets Of Productive Employees
They Are Open To Feedback
Opening yourself to receive feedback isn't something a lot of people are comfortable with — especially if it's negative. It doesn't matter if you're starting a new job or considered a "veteran" at the office, you should always ask for feedback. You'll be surprised how much you'll learn throughout your career.
They Listen...Carefully
Productive employees are great at picking up details. They usually spend a lot of time listening to other people's opinions and suggestions. And with good listening skills also comes good speaking skills — these employees often think before they speak.
They Write Things Down
Lists, notes, planners, you name it — productive employees like to write everything down. If you're working on a project or assignment, make yourself an outline and write down the details. People who make to-do lists or use an agenda are also more likely to stay on track.
They Don't Get Distracted (Or At Least Try To)
If you're always texting or chatting with your friends at work, chances are you probably get distracted during work hours. Productive employees try to limit their distractions by avoiding emails during deadlines or putting away their phones during working hours.
They're Usually Happy
For the most part, productive employees are happy about going to work each day. They're energetic about their workload, are excited about new projects and the company, and stay positive about any work-related outcomes.
They Treat Their Co-Workers Like Family
Productive employees treat their fellow co-workers like members of the family. Not only do they talk about work, but they also find time to squeeze in personal time together outside the office. It's also a good way to build strong relationships and trust between employees.
They Know When To Ask For Help
You should never be embarrassed to ask for help at work. Productive employees are not only good and open about asking for help, they also give others advice if needed.
They Stay Healthy
On top of working in a positive work environment, productive employees also tend to stay healthy at the office. They make use of the the office gym, bike to work and probably can be seen eating healthy snacks.
They Find Time To Reflect
People who are on top of their game in the office usually find time to reflect on their goals. Write down your short-term goals, track your progress or just highlight some of the successes you've had in a month.
Yes, They Still Have Fun
The office doesn't just have to be about work work work. Productive employees also find time to have a little fun, celebrate during (and after) work and find time to have drinks or dinner with co-workers or clients.