Posted January 7, 2020 by Mark Perna
You might be surprised how just a little extra time and commitment can advance your career. Mark’s article, “Younger Workers, Make ‘The 5-Minute Method’ Your Competitive Advantage,” published at Forbes.com on December 23, 2019.
In a work culture where employer-employee loyalty is fleeting, everyone’s looking for a competitive advantage. Younger workers especially need some attribute or skill that will set them apart from the crowd, and there’s lots of advice on how to achieve it.
Some focus on creating a personal brand. Others stress the importance of having a plan for career growth. These and many other efforts are great routes to pursue, but there’s another strategy you can add to enhance your quest to stand out. And rocket science, it’s not.
It’s this: Show up at least five minutes early, leave at least five minutes late, and care while you’re there.
I call it “the 5-minute method.” Simple—and surprisingly profound.
Show up at least five minutes early, leave at least five minutes late, and care while you’re there. Click To TweetRegrettably, today’s workplace is full of people of all ages, across all generations, who are doing just the bare minimum in their job. The 5-minute method, on the other hand, demonstrates commitment, engagement, focus, pride, and contribution to the cause and the organization—some of the foundational “soft skills” that 89% of employers are hungry to find, according to a 2016 Wall Street Journal survey of more than 900 executives.
Employers are looking for people who “get it” and who genuinely want to help move the company forward. And by going that extra mile, you can get a lot further ahead than you might think.
The 5-minute method may be common sense, but it’s not common practice. So let’s break it down. Then it’s up to you to make it happen.
Now you’re probably thinking, “What about my work-life balance?” Work cannot, and should not, become your be-all and end-all. Regular, real unplugging is a healthy practice that actually enhances your work performance. But a little extra time, a little extra commitment can make a big difference in advancing your career. It can set you apart from the crowd—and give you the competitive advantage you’re looking for.