If you took any employee to one side and asked them whether or not they believe they truly give 100% to their work, I wonder if they would answer affirmatively.
One of the most pertinent factors to dictate whether you really feel you are giving your job 100% boils down to your level of job satisfaction. If you jump out of bed in the morning with a spring in your step at the prospect of going to work, this is excellent, and you are probably putting your all into what you do.
However, if there are negative thoughts and issues getting in the way of the enjoyment of your work, you are likely to find that the figure you are putting into your job will be close to the 50% mark or perhaps even lower.
A good yardstick to use to determine the level of effort you are putting into your work is your attitude towards your boss. Do you have a healthy amount of respect for your boss? Do you find yourself wanting to please him or her and therefore feel the need to tackle every allocated task with your maximum effort? A healthy amount of respect for your boss can only ever be a good thing. However, it is important not to take this too far, as there is nothing worse than being fake. Being genuinely respectful and wanting to do well will go far in securing that dream promotion.
The potential opportunity for promotion will be a hugely significant factor in determining an employee’s level of commitment to their job. If they feel there is a serious prospect for promotion in the near future, it goes without saying that that employee is going to aim for the stars when it comes to their level of input.
So, if it transpires that any employee is giving less than 100% to their employment, is this their fault or is there a problem with their boss or the company as a whole? The simple answer to this question is that there will never be a straightforward answer. There are many factors to consider, as outlined in this article.
It will also depend on the personality of the employee in question or their boss or the company they work for. If you feel that you are not giving 100% to your job, it is really important for you to analyse the reasons why as honestly as you can. If, deep down, you know this is all down to you, it is definitely time for you to think about changing your attitude so that you can keep your job or it may be time to apply for another job elsewhere. If it is down to your boss or inherent problems with the company you work for, it is best to have an honest chat with whoever’s in charge to see what can be done. If that’s not possible, then it’s time to move on.
Recognition fuels extra effort
A culture of recognition develops engaged and loyal employees. Making employee appreciation integral to your workplace culture can be achieved through meaningful and intentional practices. Employee recognition has long been a cornerstone of employee satisfaction. But today, as the competition for talent escalates, the way organisations show that they value their employees have become more important than ever.
From a very early age, we crave recognition from parents, teachers and friends. So strong is our desire for positive affirmation, particularly during developmental periods, that we can even perceive a neutral reaction as a negative one. This continues to hold true as we move into the workplace.
Celebrate every major achievement — but don’t forget the small wins. You might find that it’s easier to recognize employees in some departments or roles than in others. This might be because their work is closely related to a major company initiative or KPI, or because what they produce is more visible than the work done in other departments. Recognizing employees whose work doesn’t naturally call attention to itself can help reinforce their sense of purpose at work, a key driver of employee retention.
Failing or succeeding is not in anyone’s hands but giving 100 percent is. If you don’t and can’t give your 100% – move on. If you don’t love what you do, you are wasting time. It’s important to do something you love: If your heart isn’t in it, the lure to throw in the towel during difficult times will be high. If you’re able to do something you love, you’ll have more enthusiasm to keep persevering.
Uncertainty in your mind can be crippling for both you and the organization. It’s vital that you believe in yourself and the employer who you work for. If you know that you’re putting 100 percent into making your business a success, you’ll find that self-confidence frequently follows – and that creates the future for you.
