How To Get Organized & Improve Work Ethic

“Work Ethic” is defined as “the principle that hard work is intrinsically virtuous or worthy of reward.”

It is all about doing what you need to do when you need to do it.

It can be difficult to realize that our work ethic is lacking. Maybe we find ourselves taking too many breaks or browsing social media too often or having to cram and struggle to meet a deadline because we left it until the last possible minute.

Instead of beating yourself up about it, try making some definitive and specific steps to guard against it happening again.

Breaking It Down & Getting Organized

The first step is identifying all of your tasks and things you need to complete. Write them down, make a physical list.

Then, put them in order, if some things need to be done before others can be or if some are higher priority.

Next, put them each on your calendar (or whichever way works best for you to complete tasks). I block out time on my calendar like “2–3 pm on Thursday: Write Blog post on ___ for ClientA.”

This gives me specific time to work on specific tasks and helps me stay focused.

Another way to improve your work ethic is to identify what keeps you distracted. Is it social media? If so, when you are ready to start a task, close all tabs of social media on your computer and put your phone on silent. Create an environment for you to focus on the task at hand.

Or maybe you get distracted reading articles. When it’s time to get something done, close the tabs! The articles will still be there when you’re done.

Lastly, work on efficiency. If there are several tasks you could complete at the same time, or if there are tools or software that would make it easier or faster to complete the tasks, implement them.

Once you know WHAT you need to do and then have the TIME and FOCUS to do them, then you will find BETTER ways to do them, resulting in more work being done in less time. This will improve your work ethic.

Just Do It Now

When it comes to having a good work ethic, there is also an element of “Let’s just get this done now,” especially if it is a small or short task, as opposed to “It only takes a moment, I’ll get to it later.”

Follow the “2 Minute Rule.” If it takes less than 2 minutes, stop whatever you’re doing and JUST DO IT NOW. This was originally introduced in David Allen’s bestselling book, Getting Things Done.

Procrastination is the enemy of success.

Having a strong work ethic is important. It will take you very far in life. Once you get in the habit of just getting things done AS they need to or as they pop up, you will find yourself much more efficient and accomplished.

Your Future

Even if you don’t love your job right now, you should take pride in a job well done. Use your current job as a stepping stone to something better. Do well now so that you can get to where you want to go.

Pride in your work, no matter what type of job you have, is important and is a huge element of becoming successful.

People who have a strong work ethic tend to get raises and promotions and move up to where they want to be much faster than those who procrastinate or who have the attitude that their current job is “beneath them.”

As an entrepreneur and business owner, I don’t have anyone telling me what to do. If I don’t do it, it doesn’t get done! Having a strong work ethic, the desire to succeed, and the strength to just close Facebook and get shit done is a requirement for my success!

How is your work ethic? How did you improve it? Share your stories and ways to improve that I missed! I’m always ready to learn new and better ways of doing things!