This One Trick Can Help You Get Ahead at Work or in Life

Part I

Back in February I was sick in and off for a month with pneumonia. I’m totally better now, thankfully, but wanted to share some insights I had during this time. Specifically, how you can hopefully get ahead in a shorter amount of time with one “trick.”

I used a lot of my time in solitude to do a lot of reflection, meditation and reading, which was delightful, despite being sick and away from my husband.

I’ve also been experimenting in my sewing and spending an extraordinary amount of time watching reels and videos. And all that watching of others creating, has really gotten my creative side revved up too! (More on that in another later..)

Posting on my blog has been on the back burner for a long time now because of other priorities. But during that alone time I’ve remembered why I started it to begin with!

Sharing lessons I’ve learned with others to hopefully help them improve their lives! Joy in helping others overcome, succeed, and get ahead (in ways I have, or wish I had done earlier) was and is my purpose.

So with that, let’s talk about feeling stuck where you’re at. Whether that’s in a job, a relationship, your financial situation or even your physical condition- I’ve got some advice!

Need a Promotion at Work and not sure what to do?

In my experience there are usually two types of people at work. First are those who do only what is asked of them, and secondly, those who take every opportunity to do more.

Sure you can keep doing the bare minimum, no problem! You will most likely keep your job as long as you’d like to, barring the company shutting down or something crazy like that. You’re not doing anything wrong if you’re this type of person, you’re doing perfectly “satisfactory.”

Know that your boss and your colleagues see your efforts and it says something about you. Not necessarily you as a person, but you in your position.

It says, “Hey, I’m here to do my job. I want to do exactly what I’m asked and do it well and get my paycheck and I’m good with that.”

Now think about what if you were the boss of this person? What effect does that amount of effort have on that person’s path at work in your view? Does it make you want to give them a raise or a bonus, or promote them?

I’ll tell you exactly what your boss thinks, “Guess this person doesn’t really want to go any further in their career here. And because of that, I’ll keep them where they are. They’re doing a fine job where they’re at.”

That’s not necessarily bad right? I mean, it allows you to keep your job. But if you’re here reading this post, I’m guessing you’re not.

Now let’s consider the second “type” of person. That person also does what they’re asked to do, but they also take initiative to demonstrate they are capable of much more.

The person who gets promoted is more likely the one who looks for opportunities to help others, to volunteer for projects, to do additional things than what is “required.”

And that’s what you can do too! Maybe that’s working extra hours sometimes, or asking for additional tasks. Or in some cases you might even be able to just start doing something that you discover needs to be done, without even asking!

Maybe this seems basic, but sometimes what seems obvious to one person is totally new to someone else. And that’s the “trick”, do more than what is asked.

Because when you’re the boss of this type of person you’re thinking, “Wow! They’re a real go-getter! They’re showing signs of leadership, ownership, creativity, decisiveness, and extraordinary effort!”

That’s the person who gets promoted, who gets a raise, who gets more opportunities and recognition. Be that person!

I say all these things with a lot of experience (20+ years), because I’ve been both people. Actually, I’ve been a third “type” too, unfortunately. The type that doesn’t want to be there at all and doesn’t even do the minimum required and gets fired. Don’t be a type 3 person ever if you can help it!

Getting Better at Your Relationships

It’s interesting how solid principles can bleed over into so many parts of life! You can use this same “trick” in helping you build a stronger and happier relationship too.

One of the biggest challenges I see in relationships and marriages is what I’ll call Conflicting Expectations.

This results when two people who grew up in totally different families, experiences, traditions and finances, get together and somehow expect the other person to feel the same way they do about almost everything.

Sounds kind of silly when you put it that way, but I see it and hear about it from friends and family all the time!!

Guess what?! Getting to know your partners expectations takes time, patience, and a lot of flexibility and love.

One way you can do this is stop being selfish—yeah, I said it! Maybe your husband’s family didn’t give a hill of beans about birthdays, but your family decorated your house, threw huge parties with lots of food and gifts. What’s going to happen when their respective birthdays come up!?

Either it’s going to be a disaster with someone going to bed crying (like my friend Amber when she first got married), OR it’ll probably be a lot less than what previously took place but will still be appreciated and enjoyed by both people.

This doesn’t happen on accident. You both need to talk about your individual expectations and not expect the other person to read your mind!

And how does that happen? By taking the initiative to “do more” in your relationship just like we talked about before, at work.

This looks like you approaching your partner and saying something like, “hey, your (or my) birthday is coming up. I’d like to know how you’ve celebrated (or not) in the past? What can I do to make it a great day for you?”

It’s you making an effort to get out of your own way and really think about the other person, not just doing what YOU think would be great.

I know, because yes, I’ve made this mistake too, and I was mad because my boyfriend didn’t just “know” what I wanted. Guhhh, such a dumb expectation.

I could have taken the initiative too and not waited or expected him to do it either. I could have said, “I’d really like flowers, or this kind of gift, or this kind of party or dinner”, or whatever it is you want.

That’s one way to use the “get-ahead” trick in your relationship. And it isn’t just about how to celebrate something.

It could also be about your expectations of being physical, of raising kids, of how you’re going to manage your finances and savings and spending, and everything really.

Conclusion

I would really like to dive into this further regarding managing your money too, but this will do for now!

I hope I’ve shared something useful to you about things you are in control of, your choices, that can help improve and potentially really improve situations and relationships in your life.

Again, the trick is doing more than is expected and taking the initiative! Don’t forget to give the other person a break if they don’t do this, they’ll learn how to do this more too as they experience you doing it!

In marriage, as in life, DO more and EXPECT less, and when that’s what you do expect, you can be happy in any circumstance because you know your efforts are exceptional.

The last trick is to remember that you cannot control other people’s choices. All you can do is the best you can, with love and good intentions, and leave the results to God.

Come back soon for Part II!

Love- Clarrisa