For graduates entering the real world with their first job, wouldn’t it be great to know how you can become a superstar to your employer? In my book, 50 Rules of Success, I discuss six habits of superstar employees. While all the rules work together to set you up as a superstar employee, I believe the most important rule is:
“Lights on… lights off.”
The Karate Kid Lesson
Remember the movie The Karate Kid? One of the most memorable scenes is when master martial artist, Mr. Miyagi, agrees to train Daniel in the art of self-defense. For what seemed like months, Daniel’s training consisted of waxing cars, and Miyagi would incessantly repeat, “Wax on, wax off!” much to Daniel’s frustration. As it turns out, this ‘work’ was basic training for effective blocking techniques that Daniel would later use to defeat his archenemy. The point, in this context, is that practicing over and over builds habits that will serve you well throughout your life. It’s the discipline that makes the difference.
The Advice That Changed My Life
Before I started my first job, my father gave me this advice: “How you conduct yourself in the first six months of work will set the tone for how your employer sees you forever. Be the first one at the office (lights on) and the last one to leave (lights off). Your employer will notice and, in his or her mind, will see you as a hard worker.” I took his advice, and soon, what started out as a six-month goal became a habit that helped me start my own business.
The Benefits of “Lights on… Lights off”
Two important benefits of this rule are:
- Accelerated Learning Curve: Spending more time on the job leads to gaining more job experience and shortening the learning curve. When you are in a new job and learning a new career, spending more time there helps you learn faster because you are exposed to more experiences and challenges.
- Increased Mentorship Opportunities: I also discovered that folks were more willing to mentor the ‘new kid with hustle.’ Your higher-ups are more likely to mentor you because they see your dedication. Coworkers who notice your early and late hours will be more inclined to offer help and guidance.
A Note for Seasoned Employees
It’s never too late to become a superstar employee. If you start implementing the “Lights on; Lights off” strategy, within a few months, people will begin to notice, and you may open up new opportunities for job growth.
By implementing the “lights on, lights off” strategy, you’ll set yourself on a path to becoming a superstar employee, regardless of where you are in your career journey. To learn more, you can read my book, 50 Rules of Success.
For more helpful content delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of the page.
Stewart H. Welch, III, CFP®, AEP, is the founder of THE WELCH GROUP, LLC, which specializes in providing fee-only investment management and financial advice to families throughout the United States. He is the author or co-author of six books, including 50 Rules of Success; J.K. Lasser’s New Rules for Estate, Retirement and Tax Planning- 6th Edition (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.); THINK Like a Self-Made Millionaire; and 100 Tips for Creating a Champagne Retirement on a Shoestring Budget. For more information, visit The Welch Group. Consult your financial advisor before acting on comments in this article.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION
Please remember that past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by The Welch Group, LLC [“Welch”]), or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this blog will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this blog serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from Welch. To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her choosing. Welch is neither a law firm nor a certified public accounting firm and no portion of the blog content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. A copy of Welch’s current written disclosure and Form CRS (Customer Relationship Summary) discussing our advisory services and fees is available for review upon request or at www.welchgroup.com. Please Note: Welch does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to Welch’s website or blog or incorporated herein and takes no responsibility for any such content. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly.