5 ways to get lucky at work

For some “LUCK” is a four letter word. They find themselves perpetually on the downside of it. While for others, it’s the best word in the dictionary, it almost seems like, it’s their middle name. Irrespective of the group you belong to, you can always improve your luck. At least, according to the book: The Luck Factor: Why Some People Are Luckier Than Others and How You Can Become One of Them, written by Max Gunter. According to Gunter, you can cultivate five traits which can make you lucky. To know what those traits are, you will have to skim through the book, but we at Firstpost spoke to few experts on work place related issues to find out what makes you lucky at work. To know more, read on. [caption id=“attachment_455837” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Reuters[/caption] Learnability: “In the next ten years the world won’t belong to smart people, it will belong to those who are willing to learn.” says, Manish Sabharwal, CEO, TeamLease. In the modern day work place, if you have to get lucky, you will have to learn and learn well. Upgrading your skills set across areas. A narrowed-down specialty will take you far in your career, but to go further on, don’t take- a mile deep (specialization) and an only inch wide (little knowledge of other areas) approach. Rather, go at least half a mile wide, as far knowledge in other areas goes. “If you are an accountant, learning about law, taxation, over and above accounts will make you lucky at work,” said Sanjay Pandit, MD Manpower Group. Which means if you want to stay on top of things, get yourself the required training, attend those lectures, read those books. Unlimited People Skills: “The most important single ingredient in the formula for success is knowing how to get along with people”-Theodore Roosevelt said centuries ago, but still stands true, if you are serious about getting lucky at work. After all being lucky, is all about being in the right place, at the right time and meeting the right people. Keep in mind, that knowledge and opportunities open doors via people. And cultivating healthy relationships with peers, co-workers, will make you lucky not only in the current job, but in the future too. Sabharwal says, “Anyone can suck-up to his boss, but in today’s workplace with flat hierarchy, getting along with peers is of utmost importance. It’s soft power.” Not to mention, even the boss doesn’t mind letting go his or her best employee, if the employee’s attitude stinks like a dead cat. Cultivate the core quality: Creativity, Confidence, Curiosity and Courage: The “C” in getting lucky will be vary from job to job. It’s important to cultivate the core quality you need to get that edge. For instance, there is very little role to be creative as an accountant. And a sales person who lacks confidence will soon be doomed. Know your field of work and cultivate that extra traits, that would make you shine. If you are a coder, you cultivating your curiosity, about how someone else writes a particular code, will help you shine. Gone are the days when putting you head down and following orders, was all that was expected for employees. Keyed-Up: The fourth trait to cultivate is getting keyed up. This trait will give your career the “Kick”, which will make you stand out. The days of a senior looking out for you or investing in your career are almost over. Everyone has enough on their own plates to look into. Hardly anyone has time to think about your career. Unless, you are proactive and volunteer to do over and above your traditional call of duty, you will never grow. Kamal Karanth, Managing Director, Kelly Services India, says, “Every employee in an organizational set up should aspire to do beyond what his role asks him to engage in. This exercise helps in the employee’s overall engagement with other departments/individuals in the organization. It’s a long term investment that enables an employee to create a successful growth chart for him.” You have to value add more for the organization. Karanth adds, “Organizations appreciate this as participation, teamwork and reward these initiatives by employees.” So get Keyed-up by proposing new ideas, projects, roles and responsibility. Your Rest: While it’s quite possible that those with totally botched-up personal lives are fantastic managers and do well on jobs. And, those with picture perfect personal lives are bad at their job, we suggest, rest, is an important parameter when it comes to getting lucky at work. Don’t take ambition to a place where it becomes toxic. Gearing up will make you lucky, but proper rest will keep you lucky. How you unwind and rest, is your personal choice. For some, it’s reading a book, for others simply getting enough sleep. While for others it goes beyond physical rest, they need spiritual rest. Whatever your choice, do take the antidote of rest regularly. As American author, Timothy Keller, once said, “Although rest receives a much smaller amount of time than work, it is a necessary counterbalance so that the rest of your work can be good and beneficial.” And not only will you get lucky at work, but also remain Lucky.