The economy in the United States is going through a difficult phase, but it's not impossible, despite this challenge, for you to increase your own job productivity, to evoke a masterful work/life balance, and to embolden your own business's branding and turn yourself into a key producer. You can either get in line for a promotion and salary increase or, you'll be in tip-top shape for a new job with your competition.

7 Steps to Power Up Your Performance On the Job:

1. Get organized on paper long before your work day starts. Begin and end your day with ten minutes focused on writing your daily plan down on paper. Write down your top priorities for the day, and circle the two most important items on your list. No sense feeling overwhelmed over the whole list. Simply put your focus on only two items. Even if all you complete on this day are those two items, they are the two most important and can be marked off as major accomplishments. Do this every day, and you'll power up your performance fast!

2. Learn to delegate. If you do not have a staff or contractors to delegate work to, delegate your projects to a different time of day. Delegate your most important projects to that time of day when you feel the most energized. It's an ideal way to wrap yourself around difficult tasks and you'll end up earning a raise (ultimately) or perhaps strengthen you for the next job that pays you more.

3. Use your emotional intelligence. You can't avoid a boss in a bad mood, but you can use your emotional intelligence to realize that he or she is usually in a bad mood on Mondays, for example, and act accordingly. You can use your emotional intelligence to avoid the office bully by intentionally placing yourself physically and emotionally at a distance from the bully at your work. Don't let workplace obstacles impede you from powering up your own career!

4. Minimize distractions. We have all attended meetings that numb us out. Use this time as a mental challenge to solve mental problems during this time span. Set aside a specific time to answer emails and phone calls, rather than answering every call at all times. If your problems from home are invading your mind, you can picture yourself locking them in a trunk and covering it up so you can refocus on the work at hand.

5. Breathe. You can't control the piles of work that appear on your desk throughout the day. You can control your response by breathing deeply, in and out, in and out, every time you feel the approach of frustration or anger. Breathing deeply also brings energizing oxygen to your brain to boost your productivity.

6. Become your biggest fan. Every major survey of workplace stress lists a lack of appreciation for work performed as among the major stress factors on the job. At the end of the day, applaud yourself for your accomplishments. Mentally pat yourself on the back at the end of every work day. Confidence fuels power!

7. Be prepared. Update your skills continually. Network with other professionals in your field. The ultimate power you have over your job is your decision to stay or seek a better, less stressful position. In other words, be prepared.

Have you got it? You can create a healthier work/life balance when you employ these seven tips and make your personal brand even stronger than it is today. We wish you great success!