11 Ways to Up Your Work Game — and 1 Thing to Stop Doing Forever

Now is the time to kick some serious ass in your career. To make a fresh start and kill it in the workplace, take note of these 11 positive habits to adopt — and one thing you should forget about doing forever.

01
Identify clear work goals for the year (or half year) and write them down.
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Identify clear work goals for the year (or half year) and write them down.

It's been proven that people who write down their goals are significantly more likely to actually achieve them. It doesn't have to be the beginning of a new calendar year for you to reflect on what you really want — and put it in writing. Some people swear by tacking up their written goals where they'll look at them every day because it's true: you cannot become what you cannot see.

02
Get to work early at least one day a week.
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Get to work early at least one day a week.

There are many benefits to getting to work early (including the fact that the commute is a blessed breeze), and it's easier to adopt this practice if you start by dedicating just one day per week to coming in early. From there, you might find that you love how getting in early alleviates stress and makes you feel in control, and then suddenly most days are early-to-work days.

03
Avoid social media while working.
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Avoid social media while working.

If social media is a part of your actual job, that's one thing, but otherwise, the aimless scrolling through Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook can add up to hours of wasted time. Try making rules for yourself (such as no social media while inside the office) and you may be delighted by how much mental space and energy is suddenly freed up.

04
Adopt a meditation practice.
POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim

Adopt a meditation practice.

"Meditation" is a major buzzword lately, but there's nothing unusual or modern about the ancient practice. Even a few minutes of meditation per day can lead to improved focus and concentration, greater productivity, and clearer communication practices, among other things. As far as tools for improving employee performance go, it's priceless.

05
Plan out your outfits for the week.
ShopStyle Photography

Plan out your outfits for the week.

This sounds rudimentary, maybe even juvenile, but it's a tactic that absolutely works to streamline the morning routine so you're not standing in front of your closet for 40 minutes, helplessly paralyzed by outfit indecision. Taking five to 10 minutes on Sunday night to determine an outfit for each upcoming weekday will save you time and frustration all week.

06
Broaden your network by setting networking goals.
POPSUGAR Photography | Rima Brindamour

Broaden your network by setting networking goals.

If you're seeking a new job, it's especially important to network, but even if you're not looking for a new gig, fostering good work relationships now will only serve you when the time comes to move on. Dedicate time to hanging out with current and former co-workers outside of the office. Most likely, those relationships will lead to new introductions to other contacts, any of whom could end up being helpful to you during your career. It can be beneficial to set specific goals, such as: "I will make one new work contact per month and reach out to four existing contacts per month for the next six months." This is doable and might have a ripple effect in your life in ways you can't even predict.

07
Organize and prioritize.
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Organize and prioritize.

Feeling anxious and overwhelmed about a massive workload only eats into your productivity. Never underestimate the calming power of a basic to-do list, prioritizing urgent issues and then breaking bigger challenges into smaller, bite-size steps that are then crossed off as they are conquered. A cute planner always helps!

08
Find a new mentor (or connect with your current one).
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Find a new mentor (or connect with your current one).

The importance of having a great mentor cannot be overstated. If your current mentor isn't helping you in your career as much as you'd hoped, find a new one. If you're unsure about how to land a mentor, follow these tips straight from a POPSUGAR boss lady.

09
Work on boosting your confidence.
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Work on boosting your confidence.

Lack of confidence is a huge impediment to success, but generating confidence is easier said than done. One way to feel more confident is to celebrate your wins. Whenever you experience a success at work, write it down, and then tell people about it! Even if it's just your mom or significant other, acknowledging the things you're doing well is as important as working on the things you find challenging. Beyond that, there's always the "fake it till you make it" practice. Act like a confident person — someone who is deserving of success — and soon enough, you'll believe you are that person.

10
Show initiative by volunteering to take on new projects.
StockSnap | Filip Bunkens

Show initiative by volunteering to take on new projects.

Whether it's offering to take something off your boss's plate or suggesting an innovative new way to streamline your team's processes, you'll impress the higher-ups by showing initiative in concrete, practical ways. Doing this also ensures you'll have a stronger case when asking for a promotion or raise down the line.

11
Find a creative outlet.
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Find a creative outlet.

Even if you don't consider yourself particularly creative — and especially if you do — nurturing your creative side and letting that part of your brain play around can be freeing, calming, and invigorating all at the same time. Alleviating stress in this way can only benefit you at work, as it leaves you open to energy and inspiration. Take an origami class, teach yourself how to play the ukulele, or just jump on that old adult coloring book bandwagon — you don't have to create a masterpiece, just get those juices flowing!

12
STOP comparing yourself to others.
StockSnap | Stephanie Ecate

STOP comparing yourself to others.

Theodore Roosevelt famously said, "Comparison is the thief of joy." And that was before social media, with all of its perfect pictures and humblebrags, even existed. This terrible tendency to compare our career trajectories to those of our peers is frustrating, destructive, and, frankly, pointless. Everyone's path is different and it's helpful if you can accept that you just are where you are. Reducing your engagement with social media (see number three) will certainly help, though you'll also have to find the inner strength to simply continue moving forward, keeping your eyes on your own specific prize. Measure success by your own standards, not your peers'.