Many of us have goals like losing weight, eating a healthier diet, or improving our fitness. But how many of us work to be a better employee at our jobs? If you work to be an indispensable part of your employer's company, you have a better chance at scoring a promotion (and better pay). From learning about your boss' management style to meeting every deadline, being a better employee isn’t rocket science.

Know Your Manager

To make your supervisor's job easier, you will need to know how they operate. When you start a new job, the first thing you should do is learn what they need from you. When you do this, figure out a way to give it to them every time — and more.

For example, do they want their updates in written or verbal form? Does your manager like PowerPoint or spreadsheets? Does your supervisor prefer to get their information through email or on their voicemail?

When you learn about your manager and their wishes, you make their job easier, which helps the company run more efficiently, eventually making your job easier, too.

Learn Your Supervisor's Goals

Many employees get so focused on their own career goals that they forget they are there to support the goals of their manager. Put it upon yourself to know the goals, projects, and numbers for which your boss is responsible.

For example, the next time you have a one-on-one meeting with your supervisor, you can ask them about their goals and priorities. If you know your supervisor's highest priorities, it will help you apply those goals to the work you do, resulting in a higher quality product. Supporting your boss’ success supports your success, too, helping you get further on the road to your own career goals.

Don't Blindside Your Boss

Some surprises, like surprise birthday parties, can be fun. Other surprises, like keeping unpleasant news a secret from your boss, isn’t so fun. Or if you’ve noticed that the vice president of sales is in a foul mood, giving your supervisor a friendly heads-up can build rapport that helps both of your in your careers. Especially because if your boss has to put up with someone else's anger on account of you, they're not going to be pleased. Blindsides cause chaos and frustration that create a lot of anger on all sides, leading to words and actions that may be later regretted. Avoid provoking your boss at all costs.

Don't Expect Spoonfeeding From Your Manager

No boss wants to babysit the people who work for them — after all, you’re there to lessen the amount of work they have to do, not add to their extensive to-do list. If you have questions about paychecks, where to find the office supplies, or how to file your company reports, try to find someone else to answer your questions.

You'll want to save time with your manager for the important things: discussing a solution to an inefficient process, suggesting improvements to existing protocols or softwares, etc. Showing this kind of independent initiative enables you to prove your worth as a valuable employee.

Never Miss a Deadline

When your boss gives you an assignment, always tell them that you will meet the deadline. Then turn in your work at least one day early. This will give your supervisor time to adapt in case things go awry. Your boss also won't have to wait for you to deliver a major assignment at the very last minute, making you a reliable resource that they will trust again in the future.

Pursue Additional Training

Another way to prove yourself as an indispensable employee is to stay on top of advancements in your industry. Whether that means getting additional certifications, taking night courses for further education, or even just keeping up with industry expert blogs/video channels, you will find yourself ready for opportunities when they appear.