The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. –Alice Walker

It makes no difference if you work for a small start-up or a multinational company, you can make use of good habits that will make you a more productive employee.

You may be good on paper, with an impressive resume and a long list of references; but if you don’t possess the right habits or attitude it won’t get you anywhere.

Success in any work environment takes time, but it should be understood that this success is not solely dependent on the skills you possess. Good work habits that make a well-rounded employee are not taught in schools or in management classes. These work habits are developed over time, and will separate the professional from the amateur.

When you show your colleagues that you’re a reliable employee, you set yourself apart and give yourself the reputation of a mature and valued employee to the company.

So here are some habits that make a good employee.

1. You are organised

Organisational habits include the ability to manage time wisely, to be detail-oriented, and to plan your day and work your plan. Good employees know how to use their time wisely because they know the value of time. When you are organised, you know how to prioritise tasks even if you feel that there is too much work to be done.

There are many tools out there that can help you be a more organised person. Some of these include desk calendars, to-do lists, online reminders, or simply having a set schedule that you post on your desk to serve as a reminder every day.

2. You are Performance oriented

Good employees are never satisfied with mediocre work. When you perform the best you can, your results speak for itself. Your managers can see when you are working hard because you produce the desired results. In return, you will be considered for bigger bonus, a bigger salary increase and more responsibility.

3. You understand punctuality

Simple things such as being on time get noticed, even if no one says anything. This exemplifies how much you respect your job, and how committed you are to the company’s bottom line. If this means waking up thirty minutes earlier just to avoid rush hour, it’s a small sacrifice to make.

Punctuality can help  you become the reliable person that everyone in the office strives to be like.

Punctuality also refer to you responding to emails on time, especially when these things are service requests from important clients or emails from your boss.

4. You never abuse your break times

Employees have the right to visit the restroom and get up for coffee, but if you are frequently absent from your workstation, people take notice. Learn how to schedule appropriate intervals for breaks once or twice a day. Be sure that these are done only after you have completed tasks that are expected of you. This will also ensure that by the time you get back to your desk from a short break, you are ready to complete a new project instead of procrastinating on an incomplete one.

5. You de-clutter your workspace regularly

You don’t want to spend 10 minutes looking for a file that you should easily be able to find in the first place. This can result in being frustrated and could put you in a bad mood. Invest an hour or two to create a functional filing process in your workspace that allows you to easily obtain the documents or data that you need. This hour or two will go a long way, and you’ll be more efficient than ever before.

Committing to positive habits in the workplace will yield better results and increase your effectiveness on the job. These are small but significant things that help make you a valued employee in the workplace.

So whether you’re starting a new job or are in the same company for some time now, there is always room for improvement.

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