If you also are tired of being peer-pressured into staying late because it makes you look good, and you want to stop working overtime while still being perceived as a hard worker, these tips might help.

It is often assumed that employees who spend the most hours in the office, are the hardest workers. They are the ones that are always giving 110% effort and willing to go the extra mile to get more done in a shorter amount of time.

But being physically present doesn’t necessarily equal a productive employee. On the contrary, one could be in the office while being completely disengaged.

If you also are tired of being peer-pressured into staying late because it makes you look good, and you want to stop working overtime while still being perceived as a hard worker, these tips might help.

Find and apply for jobs that match your skills here.

Make clear definitions for success

Start off by clearly defining what success means to you. In this case, that would be being perceived as a hard worker while not having to stay late in the office every day. Break that up in smaller successes.

What would you need to accomplish, and in what amount of time do you need to accomplish these goals, to be perceived as the hard worker you are? Set clear goals and work towards these every single day. You want to be perceived as a hard worker so you can be ambitious, as long as you remain realistic.

Rethink your to-do list

After setting your priorities straight, you need to rethink your to-do list. Start by scrapping all unnecessary or less urgent things off your list. Only add the things to your to-do list that are vital to obtaining your targets focussing on your KPAs. You can still fill in the gaps in your agenda with the minor stuff. You need to spend your time meaningfully.

When trying to climb the corporate ladder, or apply for a new job, no-one will care about how many hours per week you worked, but they will definitely ask for your accomplishments. So rather invest most of your time working on projects that will get you noticed by management.

Pass information on to your co-workers

Next to being noticed by management, you also want to have a reputation as a hard worker in the eyes of your co-workers. Obviously, you don’t need to do their work for them, but if you run into information that might be useful to them while working on your own projects, don’t hesitate to pass it on.

Not only are you attaining your goals, you’re also helping with theirs. If that isn’t working hard, then what is?!

Be the first to know when your dream job opens up. Sign up here.

Invest in tools and technology

Invest in the right tools and technology that will help you to get more done.  If your old desktop is holding you back in your career because it freezes all the time and you need to restart it regularly ( which completely gets you out of your zone), investing in a new one might help you to strengthen your reputation as a hard worker. Next to the right technology, try installing some tools that will help you work more efficiently.

Take initiative

Keep your ears and your eyes wide open. Don’t sit at your desk and wait for new projects to be pitched. Take matters into your own hands and start taking initiative and doing tasks people haven’t yet asked you to do. Take stock and identify where there is work to be done, instead of waiting for it to come along. Being eager alone is not enough, actually taking initiative makes you look more like a hard worker.

Keep learning new things

Impress people with your newly acquired skills time and time again. Continuous learning will help you to only deliver the highest quality results at work. And the more you know, the higher the chance that you will be the go-to co-worker if someone has a question. You will be seen as experienced. And how else to get experienced, than by putting in the hard work?!

Fees have fallen at Udemy! Take one of their online short courses for only $15!

These things will help build your reputation as a hard worker, but don’t forget that you need to build your own reputation as well. Don’t assume people will notice everything you have done, so be your own advocate.

RELATED READS

Why you need to leave work on time

Build your personal brand the right way

Why you need to eliminate your team's presenteeism right now