In the nine years I worked for my former employer, I received eight promotions and nearly tripled my salary. I don’t say this to brag, I say it because I want to share the reason why; the same reason I’m having the amazing 2011 I’m having:
The power of a little bit more.
My First Promotion
In the Spring of 2002, after being at the company for all of 6 months, I sat with my boss and said I wanted more responsibility and a raise. While it’s true my primary motivation was the money (we were barely scraping by on my entry level salary), it was also true that I had already taken on more responsibility.
Which is why she said yes and gave me a promotion and a 20%+ raise.
Do More Work First
Though I didn’t realize it at the time, I had discovered the power of doing more work first and asking (or waiting) for the benefits later. It was a principle I saw work for me the entire time I was at the company and it’s worked for me this year too.
At the company, I volunteered or took on additional projects and tasks and this year I’ve networked like the successful person I’m working to become. In both cases, doing the work first has led to the benefits I’ve desired.
Actually that’s not true. I’ve received way more benefits than I think I’ve deserved given how much work I’ve done first.
Not Much
I say this because I’ve learned that it doesn’t take much to stand out from the crowd.
- Other people are devoting their time and energy to other things. This gives you a perfect opportunity to stand out!
- Other people don’t know what to do. You may not know either, just do SOMETHING.
- Other people are waiting “for the perfect time.” Make now the perfect time.
- Other people are scared of failure or scared of success. Be scared of staying where you are.
- Other people think it takes a LOT to stand out from the crowd. Now you know it doesn’t.
- Other people are negative. Be:
Optimistic
Being optimistic will make you stand out even more, add fuel to the something you’re doing, make the time even more perfect, keep you hope-FULL about the future and keep you doing a little bit more.
And a little bit is all it takes.
