I started to write an article about programmers, but the longer I thought about it, the more I realized this isn’t a good approach. After all, all kinds of specialists make some mistakes. No matter if you are a frontend developer, project manager, graphic designer, or marketing specialist, with us you can learn how to be a better specialist in what you do for a living.
So, a good specialist never…
Thinks he knows it all
Unless you are some kind of prodigy, you don’t know everything. Not only is it annoying to your colleagues, but it is hurtful to you. By thinking that you possess all available knowledge in your field you are preventing yourself from growing.
Read books, and articles, listen to podcasts, go to meetings, and learn from your coworkers. I know it’s hard to learn new things (or to admit that you didn’t know) but trust me, it’s worth it. Not only are you growing and brightening your knowledge. Your workplace is gaining even more valuable employee and your colleagues someone beneficial to their team. Who knows, maybe you will land a new job or personal project thanks to the new skills?
Forgets that he works in a team
You think that the rest of your team never has good ideas. They never bring something new to the meetings. They are slowing you and your bright plans down. Or maybe you just prefer to work alone and being in a team is a necessary evil. So you’re working on your tickets alone, never informing anyone what you are doing. You keep all the results or analyses from campaigns to yourself and your supervisor. The team gets frustrated, work gets delayed – nothing good.
If you are a part of a team – work as a team.
Isn’t available during work hours
This is especially important now, as a lot of people are working at home or are on a vacation. If you are working, be available. It is frustrating when you are trying to reach a coworker who isn’t answering your messages or does it after a few hours. If you can’t answer in a reasonable time, inform your coworkers.
Does the same thing and expects a different result
A good specialist knows when to call quits. If your current effort is inefficient and doesn’t bring desired results, it’s ok to stop. It’s hard to let go of a project or specific content form, but sometimes it’s necessary. Why waste your precious time and strength? Redirect it towards working on a new strategy. Don’t be angry at yourself for wasting time on something that didn’t work – think of it as a valuable experience.
“Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to error that counts.” – Nikki Giovanni
Put his priorities wrongly
I must admit that this is my defect. Not always, but unfortunately it happens. Why? Because it is easier to focus on small, maybe not so important tasks rather than on one big and challenging task. When those tiny assignments are completed, I feel happy and productive.
Tackling these bigger projects in your work might be scary and demanding, but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet. Try to evaluate the importance of each task on your to-do list. If you know that something has to be done and a delay would impact you or your team – do it. These smaller tasks can wait or be done in the meantime.