Don't you wish our economy would take an upswing? Maybe that isn't the best for you individually, because you can use this challenging economy to improve your job performance, to balance your work/life better and to make your own branding even stronger. You'll either become more successful right where you are, or you'll be in a stronger position to negotiate for a better job elsewhere.

7 Steps to Power Up Your Performance On the Job:

1. Organize your day on paper, before your day begins. Begin and end your day with ten minutes focused on writing your daily plan down on paper. Write down your top priorities for the day, and circle the two most important items on your list. No sense feeling overwhelmed over the whole list. Simply put your focus on only two items. Even if all you complete on this day are those two items, they are the two most important and can be marked off as major accomplishments. Do this every day, and you'll power up your performance fast!

2. Learn to delegate. If you do not have a staff or contractors to delegate work to, delegate your projects to a different time of day. Delegate your most important projects to that time of day when you feel the most energized. It's an ideal way to wrap yourself around difficult tasks and you'll end up earning a raise (ultimately) or perhaps strengthen you for the next job that pays you more.

3. Use your emotional intelligence. You can't avoid a boss in a bad mood, but you can use your emotional intelligence to realize that he or she is usually in a bad mood on Mondays, for example, and act accordingly. You can use your emotional intelligence to avoid the office bully by intentionally placing yourself physically and emotionally at a distance from the bully at your work. Don't let workplace obstacles impede you from powering up your own career!

4. Minimize distractions. If you must attend mind-numbing meetings, mentally challenge yourself to solve problems inside your head as the minutes go by. Set aside a specific time to answer emails and phone calls, rather than answering every call at all times. If your problems from home are invading your mind, you can picture yourself locking them in a trunk and covering it up so you can refocus on the work at hand.

5. Breathe. You can't control the piles of work that appear on your desk throughout the day. You can control your response by breathing deeply, in and out, in and out, every time you feel the approach of frustration or anger. Breathing deeply also brings energizing oxygen to your brain to boost your productivity.

6. Become your biggest fan. Every major survey of workplace stress lists a lack of appreciation for work performed as among the major stress factors on the job. At the end of the day, applaud yourself for your accomplishments. Mentally pat yourself on the back at the end of every work day. Confidence fuels power!

7. Be prepared. Update your skills continually. Network with other professionals in your field. The ultimate power you have over your job is your decision to stay or seek a better, less stressful position. In other words, be prepared.

All ready now for more productivity? You can create a healthier work/life balance when you employ these seven tips and make your personal brand even stronger than it is today. We wish you great success!


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Ruth Klein is an award-winning business owner, best-selling author and marketing and time management consultant whose clients range from solo entrepreneurs to the Fortune 500. Sign up to receive Ruth's 7 Part Mini-Course on Branding and Productivity. http://tinyurl.com/25tqo5