Champion Yourself At Work

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Focus on big wins

The mark of a small mind is a preoccupation with small things. If you're bragging about the small victories, you send the message to those around you that those small details are all you have to cheer about. Keep the small details to yourself. When people look into your operation, they'll see you have the details in order and it will be impressive when they discover your thoroughness on their own.

Instead, pay attention to the big wins. What are the two or three key areas that you are truly measured on? In what areas would an exceptional effort on your part result in a massive success? Focus on those areas. Again, get feedback from your boss, and keep an ear to the ground. What statistic comes up in every meeting? What's the area that everyone is worried about that you can take control over? Focus on those actions.

Present accomplishments as company victories, not your own


Think about it: If a salesman in your office came up to you and said the company was on a roll and sales were up for the quarter, would you pat yourself on the back? Of course not, but you probably feel a little better about the team in sales. People know who's responsible for good results, which is exactly why spelling it out for them makes you look like a braggart. Just give them the information — they'll figure out who made it happen on their own.

Be persistent

Have you ever had a question for your boss or something to get their feedback on and felt brushed off by them? You may have even felt unimportant or unappreciated to them. Well, barring the few truly bad bosses out there, most bosses care about their teams a great deal. Your boss doesn't mean to ignore you, he’s just busy. Get a promotion to management, and you’ll quickly realize how much work your boss was dealing with that you weren't even aware of. They have people above them to answer to, their own work and, last but not least, you and your coworkers on the level below. So don't feel bad if you get a lukewarm reception from your boss — you may have caught them at a bad time. Keep bringing up the good things you're accomplishing. If you paid attention back in step one, you've already determined how meeting your personal goals ties in with the company's objectives, so you know that the results you have are important to your boss. So don't give up, and keep reminding your boss of your past accomplishments and the big projects you're currently facing.

take pride in your work

They say a man's ship would come in much quicker if he would swim out to meet it. You are your own biggest fan in the workplace. You're also the most in tune with what it is you do each day. That puts you in the position to best identify the things you do that bring a lot of value to the company. By championing your own efforts at work, you'll keep your accomplishments fresh in the eyes of those around and above you. In fact, by being focused on these “big win” results, you'll probably make yourself more driven and focused in the process. Study up on these rules, and you'll be well on your way to being your own PR agent in the workplace.

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