5 Ways To Wow At Work

Anyone who’s spent time in the workforce knows how terrifyingly easy it is to fade into the background and become just another cog in the machine. When you’re one of the many, standing out is a tall order indeed.

The thing is, grit, hard work and burning the midnight oil won’t get you as far as you believe. If you really want to impress and succeed in your personal and professional life, you need to let go of the idea that you leave yourself behind when you clock in. At the end of the day, it is only when you invest yourself in your work that you can inspire people to take notice, to feel something visceral in return, to say wow. This is kando, a Japanese philosophy that requires you to involve yourself emotionally if you want to receive an emotional response in kind. It’s the kind of mindset you need to push your career forward and make yourself stand out.

To get you started on the road to achieving kando, here are five things you can do:

Be excited about your work
Come in bright and early, eager to take on everything the day throws at you. Apart from getting you ahead, people who are committed to coming on time are also committed to doing their work on time. You’d be surprised how less stressful you'll feel and how much more productive you'll become when you’re not racing to beat a deadline.

Pay attention to every project
This one might seem like a no-brainer, but everyone can fall into a funk, giving little to no care about the projects passing their desk. Whether the task at hand is something big or just another part of the daily grind, it’s important that you invest yourself intellectually and emotionally so that you always perform to the best of your capabilities. Never be afraid to express yourself in your work, even if it means going above and beyond what’s required.

Be cheerful
Having a positive attitude can do wonders to your everyday work experience, making it much more fulfilling. Not only will you feel more excited about all the challenges ahead, you’re more ready to face them too. So laugh often, avoid stress, and greet every workday with a smile.

Engage with your co-workers
Gossiping around the water cooler and working together on team projects aren’t the only ways to spend time with your officemates. Try dropping by their desks for a quick chat when neither of you are busy. Don’t be shy about inviting them to meet up outside of the office, or maybe offer a helping hand when they’re drowning in work. Fostering good relationships with your colleagues can only serve you well in the long run.

Dress for the job
Always remember that the way you present yourself at work makes an impact on your peers. Dressing well will not only help you appear professional, it’ll also go a long way in making you feel confident enough to take on whatever comes your way.

Whether you’re just getting your career off the ground or doing your best to get ahead, make sure to dress to impress with Uniqlo’s officewear. You won’t have any trouble fixing yourself up every day with the line’s versatile pieces, and the high quality of the clothing means you’ll not only stay comfortable, you’ll also look sharp the entire day. It’s the little things that will push your career forward and spell your success, after all.