Here are five habits you can start practicing in your job or at school to prepare to be a happy and successful employee!

Hi Everyone! It’s the middle of summer, it’s hot, you’re tired and being a good, positive, employee seems like a bit of work right now!

Well, much like a balanced diet and exercise routine being a good employee is a skill you build a little bit each day. Here are five habits you can start practicing in your job or at school to prepare to be a happy and successful employee!

For the entire list check out 47 Habits of Highly Successful Employeesby The Muse’s editorial team!

Successful employees:

1. They Speak Up in Meetings

Especially if you’re in a large meeting, intimidated by the higher-ups there, or don’t know much about what’s going on, it’s easy to sit tight and listen. But the people who get ahead don’t wait for permission or an invitation to speak—they make sure everyone in the room knows they have something to contribute. Even if you don’t have a suggestion? “Speaking up to advocate for a co-worker’s point of view or asking a well thought-out question can go just as far,” says leadership coach Jo Miller.

1. They Look for Leadership Opportunities

Whether it’s offering to lead a project team, volunteering to mentor a junior employee, or taking it upon themselves to train the new interns, people who want to (and do!) get promoted don’t wait for leadership opportunities to come from them—they look around, see where a leader is needed, and jump in.

1. They Give People Their Full Attention

“Listening is one of the top skills employers seek in potential and current employees, and it’s correlated with perceived ability to lead,” McLeod explains. Giving people undivided attention, helping them feel motivated and energized, and showing them that you care about their thoughts and opinions is more powerful than you know.

1. They Don’t Compare Themselves to Others

Of course, it’s easy to think that just because Tim got a raise after being at the company for a year, you should, too.

Bad idea. You’ll make a much better case for advancing within your company by focusing on what you’ve accomplished—and what you can continue to do in your new role—than whining about how you stack up to your colleagues.

1. They Stay Positive

“You don’t need to blind every passerby with your pearly whites, but remember that no matter how close your deadline or how heavy your workload, other people will take their cues from you,” says LearnVest’s Libby Kane. “If you're snapping at co-workers and frowning, they’ll snap and frown right back. Instead, take a breath, put on a smile, and show your boss you appreciate the opportunity.” It’ll go further than you know.