It’s Up To You

They say nobody is indispensable. Yet, organizations go to great lengths to retain employees who are seen as critical for their operations.

So, how do you make yourself indispensable at work? How do you grow in places you never thought you would?

1. Do work that matters. Make your manager’s priorities your priorities. A good boss is better than a good company. A good boss is hard to find and is the biggest factor in your career success. Employees who want a boss that looks out for them also must do their part – a boss who doesn’t trust you won’t give you opportunities to grow.

2. Develop deep expertise in tasks that are critical for the organization. Be so good that people have to work with you. You will have the chance when somebody who already has a unique skill leaves the company, and you step in to replace them. Or it will happen when a new initiative requires skill the company has never before had. Step out of your comfort zone and start doing stuff you have never done before. You cannot grow unless you take up new challenges.

3. Build Relationships at all levels. Be a friend to everyone, say hello, smile, and do not let in your heart a grudge against anyone. Hard skills get you hired, but soft skills get you promoted. Get along with all kinds of people irrespective of whether you like them or not. Relationships are important because the more supporters you have, the more you can get done in the organization. We rise faster by lifting each other up (rather than stepping on each other to go up). Your network is your net worth. Your network can open doors for you. Build your network before you need it.

4. Conquer yourself. Don’t blame others for your failure. Blaming others is a subconscious mechanism to avoid responsibility and avoid some truths about yourself. Your success or failure in life or at work isn’t about other people. It’s your procrastination and excuses. You won’t grow when you blame others. Success happens when you grow yourself, not outgrow others. Winners focus on winning, losers focus on winners. Obstacles are often a stepping stone to make you stronger – the more of them you overcome, the stronger you become. When you are no longer able to change a situation, change yourself. Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.

5. Start now. Stress comes from ignoring things that you should not be ignoring. Break down a tedious task and start small. Don’t wait to be in the mood to do a certain task. Motivation follows action. Get started, and you will find your motivation.

Credit to Erin Boyer, for her contribution to this piece.

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.”
-Jim Rohn

“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”
-Stephen King

“Start where you are, use what you have. Do what you can. Never stop trying and always improve.”
-Arthur Ash

“The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow. Don’t give up.”
-Robert Tew

“Success is not built on success. It’s built on failure. It’s built on frustration. Sometimes it’s built on catastrophe.”
-Sumner Redstone