Even as we move into a post-pandemic world, does your work seem like an endless cycle of meetings, updates and reports?

You’re not alone. In a world where knowledge workers are expected to be on-call 24/7, it’s more important than ever to create personal and professional distinction by finding ways to increase the value you provide at work.

Here are five ideas that have helped me in my career:

1) Become indispensable: think strategically about how your unique skills can help your company reach its goals. Share your thoughts with your team and ask them to do the same. Or, if you’re an entrepreneur, make a list of those skills and evaluate how you can accentuate them to enhance your marketplace distinction.

2) Be proactive – volunteer for projects. A large degree of my reputation in my industry was established because of my ongoing willingness to volunteer for positions within our trade association. It didn’t put money in my pocket right away. However, it was an important step to establish my seriousness about my craft among my peers – and put me in touch with leading figures in my industry who became supporters and a terrific base for referrals. You can do the same!

3) Get comfortable with discomfort – push yourself out of your comfort zone. One way to do this is by taking on challenging tasks or participating in activities that require self-reflection. No matter your age or position, you will have to embrace change and leverage it to your advantage. When you get comfortable with discomfort, you’ll find change much easier to live with — and you will become more proficient at discovering the opportunities inherent with all evolving marketplaces and businesses.

4. Show up early, stay late, and work hard on weekends too – it’s worth it! You didn’t want to hear that one, did you? I’m NOT suggesting that you become a “workaholic.” However, all iconic professionals put in the time. Yes, you should seek home/life balance. But I do not know any highly successful individuals who work short hours. As Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has long said, “Today I will do what others won’t so that tomorrow I can do what others can’t.” Most people won’t work hard enough to discover the enriching benefits of personal and professional success.

5. Take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating healthy food, and exercising regularly – because how you feel impacts how you perform. I realize that there are infinitely more qualified people to suggest this than I. However, since I’ve built a friendship with famed fitness guru, J.J. Virgin, and followed her exercise plan and diet program, I’ve gone from weighing 240 to 205. My resting heartrate has gone from 70 to 56. I’m usually sleeping 7 to 8 hours every night. All of my blood work and vital signs are better.

It’s no coincidence that I’ve become more productive. If you feel great, you work great. There is a direct correlation between your personal fitness and your professional success. You don’t have to become a body-builder or aerobics instructor. You just need to eat better, sleep better, and exercise a little bit more. As I’ve learned in the past twelve months, it’s really a small price to pay for all you get in return!

Here’s hoping that you found these ideas helpful, and this has provided some new strategies to try in your own work. And I would love to hear what’s worked for you!

If these insights resonated with you, please share it on your social media! And learn more about our Iconic Inner Circle membership program. (https://IconicInnerCircle.com) We’re ready to help you create a plan for success that will help drive you to meet your goals and dramatically increase the value of your time at work!