Fewer responsibilities at work speed up your career growth. Find out how.   

Working smart can help you more than working hard when it comes to growth at the workplace. So take on fewer responsibilities, proffer quality work, and shine.

The millennial generation romanticises the concept of over-working, or at least works in a world which does. As competition grows every day, burning out at work due is becoming the norm. But is it really worth it? There is no denying the fact that taking up more responsibilities shows team spirit, ownership, and initiative.

Of course, this inevitably leads to you getting burdened with responsibilities beyond your core job description, and often ends up taking too much time and energy. This can cause an imbalance with your personal time, and can have undesirable consequences in the long term – whether it is in relationships or your physical and mental health.

Using your time and energy efficiently is the right way to have your cake and eat it too. More importantly, smart work can help you more than hard work; fewer responsibilities can actually fast-track your rise in career. Find out how:

1. Focus on the most important work and core responsibilitiesAn open discussion with your boss about your key responsibility areas (KRA) and her/his expectations from you beyond that will make it easier to decide how much time you need to spend on each task. The key is to be pragmatic and polite without being emotional; it shows your confidence and self-worth. Keeping track of how long you spend on the work beyond your core responsibilities will help eliminate these distractions.
2. Do quality core work by delegating other tasks to the team
3. Your job description for each fiscal demands your highest attention. For tasks beyond that, which do not really demand your capabilities and full attention, the best way is to delegate to other team members. “Overseeing” that work (if performed by juniors) will prove your sense of responsibility too. Keep a tab on your achievements to showcase how they have expedited the company’s target growth.
4. Work for the salary you are getting, without burning outDespite taking up more and more responsibilities, if you are disappointed regularly by your employer when it comes to your salary slip, you know it’s time for introspection. Demanding better compensation after prioritising your tasks will give both parties more clarity on the situation. If non-cash incentives like ESOPs or perks like work from home are the best your employer can offer, step back and strategise accordingly. Open communication with the employer can simplify what you will be doing for a given remuneration.