Most of us spend a lot of time at our jobs, and we feel that we are working hard. However, in spite of our efforts, we don’t seem to get anywhere professionally.  That can be very frustrating.

The problem is that in order to be successful at your job, you need to distinguish yourself from the pack. It isn’t enough to do the bare minimum at work and just get by, like everyone else.  Professional success comes from having exceptional work habits.

Below are some simple, but critical, work habits that will set you apart from your peers and will put you on the path to success. Believe me when I tell you that most people don’t do these very simple things.  Then they wonder why they get fired, or they aren’t promoted.  Don’t be like most folks.  Follow these simple work habits and see your career move forward in ways that you could not have imagined.

Strive for Perfect Attendance: Your goal should be to have no unplanned absences from work. No employer wants to deal with an employee who is regularly, unexpectedly absent. Unexpected absences place a burden on the employer and on your co-workers, who have to cover for you.

Typically, unplanned absences occur when people get sick or their children get sick. That is why part of being a good employee is being healthy and keeping your kids healthy. Do everything you can in this regard. Take vitamins. Get your flu shot. Eat healthy foods and exercise. And make sure that your kids do the same. Having healthy habits is part of your job as a good employee.

Another reason people tend to be absent is transportation. If you are dependent on public transportation, or if your vehicle is unreliable, try to find a job near where you live. You want to have the option of walking, biking or taking Uber to work, rather than having to be absent when your car breaks down. Being absent because you missed your bus or your car overheats sends a clear message to the employer that you are unreliable.

When you have perfect (or near perfect attendance) your employer notices. He or she may not say anything to you, but trust me, your employer notices. Perfect attendance makes you stand out from the pack. When everyone else is calling out because they have a sniffle, your employer knows that you are the one that they can count on to be at work, come rain or come shine.

Respect Your Supervisor: On occasion, I have had supervisors who I didn’t think were very good at their jobs. They were either chaotic thinkers, or they didn’t have good people skills. I can tell you from life experience that your best approach to dealing with a difficult supervisor is to be as pleasant and as accommodating as possible to them. Simply put – always be respectful of your supervisor, regardless of how good or bad they are at their job.

The employer has chosen to put your supervisor into a management position. Whether that was a good decision is none of your concern. Your only concern is to get along with that person. So, because your supervisor is in his or her position, he or she deserves your deference, your good attitude and your kindness.

Now if you are working for someone who is a nut, and you are just miserable, then dust off your resume, and get a new job. Don’t spend your time bad mouthing your supervisor to anyone who will listen. Worse yet, don’t go over your supervisor’s head and try to get him or her fired. This is not your “Rosa Parks” moment. You are not changing the world by getting your supervisor fired. Remember, your professional reputation is important, and you want to have a reputation as a top-notch employee, not as a troublemaker.

The key is to be a little bit selfish in how you approach your job. Don’t focus on whether your supervisor is doing his or her job correctly. Their ability or inability to do their job is not your problem. You need to focus on being the best employee possible so that you can advance in your career. That is your only concern.

Don’t Worry About Your Job Description: As a lawyer, I’ve had to do all kinds of non-legal things for my jobs. When I first started out, I had to fetch my boss his morning coffee and muffin each day. Since then, for one job, I had to drop mail off at the Post Office. For another job, I pitched in to help wrap presents for a fundraiser. Not the kind of glamorous stuff one hopes to do after graduating from law school.

However, I am a big believer in humility. And the way you stay humble is to not get into the mindset of thinking that you are too good for any task.  You aren’t.  None of us is too good to make a pot of coffee or fix a photocopier.  And at home, none of us is too important to clean a bathroom, cook a meal or make a bed.  As soon as you think that you are too good to do any of those things, your personality takes a nosedive.

When you approach your job with humility, people will notice. They’ll say, “She is amazing at her job, and she isn’t arrogant at all!”  All they will notice is your good work.  But if you have an obnoxious attitude, no matter how great you are at your job, no one will pay attention.  They will only take note of your attitude.  Be a team player, and have your employer focus on your what a great employee you are.

Having good work habits is the key to professional success. The funny thing about these habits is that they are so simple.  Yet, most people don’t adopt them.  Put yourself ahead of your peers.  Adopt good work habits and watch your career take off!

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