When building a career, we often choose the path that someone else has already taken before us. However, the world is changing. And those strategies that led to success in the past no longer work today.
We are talking about common habits that, contrary to expectations,
will definitely not help you make a dizzying career.
1. Focus on current problems instead of
looking around
Even if you easily solve work problems one after another and
react with lightning speed to the emergence of new ones, in the long run this
leads to loss.
The reason is simple: when you focus on problems, you predictably
stop noticing what is happening around you. Your horizons - your ability to see
new opportunities - are catastrophically narrowing.
Most likely, when the chance to make a career breakthrough
arises, you simply will not notice it, because you will be busy fighting the
next minor misfortune.
What to do
Try to rise above the problems and look at them more broadly. Perhaps they - especially those that are repeated day after day - have a common solution. Look for it. And in any case, look around and don’t concentrate on the little things, even if you consider them important. This is precisely the path to success.
2. Go with a plan instead of taking
risks
The more psychological defeats a person has experienced, the
less inclined he is to take risks - so as not to step on the same rake again.
If you're afraid to take a step aside and cling to schedules and plans, perhaps
your losing streak has already occurred? In any case, the desire for security
and routine at work clips the wings of your career.
What to do
Remember that any growth only happens outside of your comfort zone. Successful careers in the modern world are built by creative people who are able to take risks.
3. Working hard all day long instead of looking for a
balance between work and rest
The old idea that to be truly productive means to work diligently,
tirelessly, without sparing yourself from dawn to dusk, is becoming a thing of
the past.
Recent research shows that
employees, who take breaks from work, relax on evenings and weekends, and take
regular vacations are more productive than workaholics. In addition, they are
healthier and more satisfied with life, which means they are protected from
professional burnout.
What to do
To remain productive, you need to give your body time and opportunity to recover from hard work. Make sure you give yourself regular and adequate rest.
4. Jump to conclusions instead of waiting for facts
Our brains despise uncertainty. Therefore, in the face of a lack
of information, he simply thinks out a lot, trying to paint some kind of
coherent picture.
Friend didn't reply to your message? Probably ignores it. Is your
colleague frowning and not engaging in conversation? He must have been offended
that you (and not him) became employee of the month.
The desire for certainty often leads to false conclusions. And
they, in turn, can seriously hinder your career.
What to do
Remember this feature of the brain and try not to overthink or draw hasty conclusions. Wait for the facts. Or find them yourself.
5. Harshly criticize yourself for mistakes instead of being
supportive
Some career “climbers” harshly condemn and even ridicule
themselves for the slightest mistakes. It is assumed that such self-criticism
will become a “magic kick” and will force you to try harder and avoid mistakes.
However, in reality, the opposite is true: harsh self-criticism
undermines self-esteem and reduces the chances of achieving success in the
future.
What to do
Treat yourself with the same kindness and care you would extend to a dear friend. Even if he made a mistake, you shouldn’t kick him. He needs support, understanding, compassion. And the promise: “You can handle it, you can rely on me if anything happens.” Basically, be your own friend. It motivates and inspires.
6. Being a loner instead of being part of a team
Competitions to tear each other's throats out in pursuit of a
career prize are long gone. Today, some of the key symptoms of a dying career
are lack of connections, working alone and problems working in a team.
What to do
The most successful modern careerists are sociable and maintain warm, open relationships with colleagues. Such mutual support can be very useful at the moment when you take off.
7. Sacrificing yourself instead of taking care of yourself
Many of us have been taught that self-sacrifice is a virtue and
that “I” is the last letter in the alphabet. However, neglecting yourself, your
needs, and your health is a sure way to not take a single step on the ladder
leading upward.
What to do
Self-care forces you to plan your time more efficiently. Healthy eating, rest and regular exercise will increase the stamina needed to build a career. Hobbies, yoga, massages, spa treatments refresh the body and mind, restore energy and creativity.
8. Be afraid of failures instead of admitting your right to
make mistakes
The fear of failure makes you afraid to move forward at all.
Psychologists have determined that
some people are more successful than others simply because they have a winning mind
set. They are simply always optimistically focused on success. And even a
possible loss does not bother them: just think, they can try again, and then
everything will probably work out!
What to do
Cultivate that same “winning” consciousness in yourself. The first step to this is to treat both victories and defeats equally. Any outcome will give you the necessary experience, teach you something new, warn you about pitfalls and allow you to take a broader look at the world. So when you fail or make a mistake, admit it. You have a right to it—and a responsibility to learn from it.
9. Constantly doubt yourself instead of believing in success
Lack of confidence in yourself and your competencies is
normal, especially if you find yourself in a serious position with a high level
of responsibility.
However, it's crucial not to go overboard. Dwelling on
questions such as "Am I deserving? Can I handle this?" may lead you
to lose sight of your true identity, the journey you've already undertaken, and
the goals you aim to accomplish.
What to do
See yourself first and foremost as a person who stubbornly moves forward and learns, acquiring new skills and competencies. Treat yourself positively and replace the thought “Will I succeed?” to “It will definitely work out! And if it doesn’t work out, then this will also teach me something.”
10. Try to get as much done as possible instead of calmly
moving forward
If you're like most careerists, you probably set unrealistic
deadlines for yourself. For example, you undertake to complete a project in
three days that should normally take a week.
You think this will demonstrate to the employer (and the world at
large) what a productive, high-speed professional you are. But in reality,
trying to meet unrealistic deadlines is draining.
You might be able to pull off a project or two in this mode. But
one day your body will inevitably tell you: “Stop.” Strength, creativity,
motivation will be exhausted, and at best, career growth will stop there.
What to do
Set realistic deadlines. Be sure to include time for a break, the opportunity to have a full lunch or sleep for the eight hours everyone needs every day. Only this approach will make your work productive and efficient.
11. Don't allow yourself to be distracted instead of taking
time to have your head in the clouds
Many people still believe in the old English proverb: “An idle
mind is the devil’s workshop.” However, being able to take a few minutes to
step away from work, think about something, meditate, or just watch the birds
out the window actually improves mental
and physical well-being. And the absence of such an opportunity, accordingly,
makes it all worse.
What to do
Don’t forbid yourself to be distracted if you really want to. The periods of being in the clouds are unlikely to be long - 2-5 minutes is enough. But after such a switch, you will find that your head has become fresh and your strength has returned.
12. Treat work as a responsibility instead of a hobby
The difference is simple. Work ends at a certain time, and you
always keep an eye on the time remaining before you are allowed to get up and
leave. A hobby, on the contrary, captivates you to such an extent that you
forget about the watch altogether.
If work is not such a hobby for you, then you are not very
interested in what you do. It is almost impossible to achieve real success on
such a foundation.
What to do
Look for motivation. I mean, something that can truly captivate you.
13. Command categorically instead of listening to others
It has been observed that people whose careers inevitably reach a
dead end make the same type of mistakes. They always consider themselves to be
right, strive to impose their point of view on others, ignore the opinions of
others or criticize them.
What to do
Develop the skill of adaptability and patience. Sometimes, your colleague's perspective might offer a more promising solution than your own. By embracing openness rather than fixating on being correct, you enable yourself to grasp valuable insights that can benefit you. Adopting a stance of "I'm always right" is akin to being deaf to alternative viewpoints and ultimately leads to disadvantageous outcomes.
14. Hear only yourself instead of showing empathy to others
Empathy, that is, sympathy, the ability to put oneself in the
place of another person, allows you to better understand others. Without it,
you will inevitably create a hostile, aggressive environment around you. And it
is unlikely to be useful for your career.
What to do
Remember that empathy is increasingly recognized as a key tool for achieving leadership in today's global world. Learn to listen and understand others. It broadens your horizons and helps you learn different points of view without having to argue or agree with them.
15. Despising “different” colleagues instead of embracing diversity
Modern large companies are a “cocktail” of people of different
races, cultures, genders, and sexual orientations. This situation is strikingly
different from what it was a couple of decades ago, when the backbone was, for
example, only men or only Caucasians.
But in fact, the current situation is more advantageous. Different
points of view, opinions, ideas that grow from diversity are a competitive
advantage that allows a company to get ahead.
What to do
Avoid discriminatory behaviour. Consider “different” colleagues as a source of fresh, original ideas that you would never have thought of on your own.
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