Owning the Quality of Work You Do

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Owning the quality of work you do is not just about the work itself, but everything that contributes to it. Taking ownership means being proactive, detail-oriented and exercising integrity, all of which develops trust: with your coworkers (if you have any), clients, and yourself. People want to know you will do the right thing, and in demonstrating that this is your priority by consistently delivering quality work, you prime your business for current and future success. 

And there’s perhaps no greater time to discuss strategies in achieving this than right now, while many are getting acclimated to remote work for the first time. Keep reading for practical tips on how to stay focused and truly own the quality of your work during quarantine.  

How ownership defines success 

In many ways, success is linked to ownership of your behavior, emphasizing quality, and holding yourself accountable to that standard with everything you do. Quality ownership organically nurtures professional working relationships, forms a promising reputation, and makes you proud of what you can do.

But first, let’s go back to the basics: setting goals

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The role of micro and macro goals

Productivity is a habit that can take time to develop. Having both short and long-term goals aids in accomplishing big-picture tasks and conquering the “day-to-day” with vitality. This could include expanding and strengthening your skill set, taking on new responsibilities, or being newly inventive and creative with your work. Not only does having goals hold you more accountable, it challenges you to deliver a higher quality of work and consistently push boundaries. That bodes well for every aspect of your business. 

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List-making is powerful

A significant portion of producing with excellence is being consistently productive and staying on top of your game. And while you may not be a proponent of list-making, there is a proven correlation between writing down your tasks (no matter their size), checking them off, and using that energy to propel yourself into future tasks. Not only is it gratifying to check things off, it serves to strengthen your productivity and keep you motivated. 

Set time limits 

It’s no secret time management is another major driving factor in productivity. Setting time limits on your tasks and respecting them ensures your work gets done in a timely manner, and likely allows you to take on more volume. This strategy is not intended to morph you into an intense disciplinarian, but to make the most out of your time. By the same token, it’s important not to rush and compromise quality, but to keep yourself moving along at a healthy pace. 

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Set up some kind of a reward system 

Piggybacking off time management and to-do lists, there is ample research suggesting that implementing a reward system and thus incentivizing hard work is beneficial for your business (or anything you’re trying to accomplish). You determine your reward, but be sure to reward yourself when you finish the small and big things alike. You’ll be surprised how much more you will get done, and it will encourage you to continue raising the bar on the quality of work you’re producing. 

Let your work do the talking

Ultimately, let your work speak for itself. The habits you apply to your work will inevitably determine the course of your professional success. Strike a balance with the tips above, invent a system that works for you, and continually make yourself proud by taking ownership of your business and the quality of work you produce. 

And whatever your business endeavors are right now, we wanted to send you a little extra encouragement to keep on keepin’ on.

This article was written by our very own Megan Carter. Learn more about Megan here.

About Megan Carter

A passionate storyteller with experience across a wide range of clientele and industries, Megan's ability to capture the essence of a brand far exceeds her years. Beyond her work, she cherishes the opportunity to live, adventure, and lead an active lifestyle in the Pacific Northwest. When not writing, she's volunteering with her church family, CrossFitting, trail running, watching films, eating yummy food, and thriving on the positivity each day brings.