How to be proactive at work

The first step in being proactive at work is to set some goals for yourself, as these will help you to stay motivated and focused when at your job. You can use the SMART method for establishing your goals, this includes goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

• Be ready for challenges

Another important part of this process is to anticipate any challenges or difficulties you might have at your work, and plan ahead of time to address them properly. This might involve developing contingency plans or requesting input from your manager, colleagues, or mentor.

• Take ownership of your work

You can take ownership of your work by seeking opportunities to improve your work performance or enhance your output in some way. The key here is not to wait for a superior or colleague to tell you to do something, you should take ownership and initiative to make positive things happen in your workplace.

• Become a problem-solver

Employers greatly value workers who are problem-solvers, this means you need to identify problems or issues and address them as soon as possible before they escalate into something worse.

• Use communication skills

Communication skills are key in effectively collaborating with team members, colleagues, and managers because this helps to ensure that everyone at your work is on the same page.

• Request feedback

You should look to gain feedback from your manager, colleagues, or other appropriate parties at work. This will help you to improve your overall work performance, and productivity, stay on the right track, identify areas of improvement, and refine your overall work approach.