Article: It'll be easier for you to stay focused and motivated if you start your tasks with a clear head, so take 10 to 20 minutes at the beginning of each day to write a to-do list, review your calendar, and respond to a few emails. Giving yourself a little mental breathing space before jumping into things will help make you a better worker. Make it a goal to get to the office 10 to 20 minutes early each day for one week and see how it changes your attitude throughout the day. You'll feel better about your work and about yourself if you commit to doing the best job you can do in any situation. Instead of trying to rush through a task or project simply to get it done, ask yourself, "Is this something I can be proud of?" Proofread your work, do tasks that you notice need to be done, even if they aren't technically your responsibility, answer questions that might come up down the road, and think outside of your job description. Think about ways you can make your work even more dynamic, and try to implement those ideas when you can. For example, if your job is to write a report about sales from the previous month, you could also include information about holidays, employees calling off work, power outages, and other factors that may have affected the results. Taking initiative and being responsible doesn't mean you have all the answers. If you're unsure of how to do something, don't be afraid to ask questions. Sometimes people do need a little reinforcement to help them stay on track, and that's perfectly fine. If you need this, arrange with a supervisor or a coworker to check in at a specific time every week for a "mini-deadline" to help you get your work done in time. For example, if you're working on a big presentation that is due in a month, arrange to send your supervisor a copy of what you've worked on every Friday at noon. That way, you know you have several deadlines to work toward and need to show something new every week rather than procrastinating until the last day to get things done.

What is a summary?
Take time to prepare for your day rather than winging it. Focus on the quality of your work, even if no one will ever see it. Take the initiative to go above and beyond the minimum expectations. Set up accountability if you need help doing your best work.