8 Mistakes You Make That Wound Your Career

Who are we kidding? Working for yourself (say, as a freelancer) or for somebody else will not always sail smoothly. In fact, it's all fun and games until the looming self-doubt attacks your functionality in everyday life. Sometimes, the feeling that you're going sideways, or hitting a plateau, or putting your career in a deep slump seeps out of your every pore.

Rest easy though — the world is not crushing down. Feeling this way doesn't mean that you actually fall behind while others zoom ahead. However, there are certain mistakes you make that sabotage your career success and personal growth.

Let's take a look at a few, as well as ways to break the most typical career traps that people create for themselves:

Do your homework and make wise career choices

Before you embark on your career journey, ask yourself: “Do I visualise myself waking up every morning and doing the same thing for the next 30 years?” If the answer is a resounding YES, then you're on the right track. Now, if you shrugged your shoulders and took longer than 3 seconds to respond, grab a piece of paper and draw a big Venn diagram.

It's time for self-evaluation, my friend, which will help set your career change in motion and level you up. First off, compile a list of your experience, skills (both soft and hard), and the personal attributes required for your dream job. Next, add all these elements and focus on where the two circles overlap. You can use this as a point of reference for whatever you need to work on and improve (thank me later!).

When picking an occupation, ensure that it works in line with who you are: your passions, principles, interests and aptitudes. Once you strip your soul bare and learn all about yourself, conduct extensive research about the industry you're about to dive in. This way, you'll get down to the nitty-gritty, i.e., job duties, pay scale, and employment conditions.

Don't live someone else's dream

Turn a deaf ear to whoever tells you, “Go for that field because the big bucks lie there — no matter how much you hate the job.” Despite them being well-intentioned, such statements are among the myriad myths and stereotypes about career-building that we should bust.

Why? Because all of them overlook one crucial parameter: your career choices are entirely within your discretion; they are a personal option that will dominate a huge chunk of your life and time. So, you better pay heed to your instinct and tangible abilities when it comes to the final decision.

Jessica Kleiman, author of Be Your Own Best Publicist, advocates listening to your gut.

When you see a red flag, pay attention. How many times in life have you kicked yourself for not listening to that little voice in your head that says, ‘Something is wrong here?'

Oh, and bear in mind that the bridge that connects money and job fulfilment is really wobbly. Where's the joy in working for something that will just pad your wallet to the detriment of your inner peace and well-being? Is it worth choosing the instant gratification of a fat payslip over lasting happiness? A study shows that salary alone cannot have a positive impact on someone's health. So, before you chase after those packs of cash, think whether or not the money is worth entering a sector that will only bring dissatisfaction and tears.

Skip Prichard, author of The Book of Mistakes: 9 Secrets for Creating a Successful Future, says:

You had a dream but you killed it […] When you go through with someone else's dream, you won't have the same amount of drive or energy to move forward in your career.

You get the gist, right?

Don't walk solo

You may be convinced that you know everything, but sorry to ruin it for you: YOU DON'T! Regardless of the array of diplomas that hang on your wall or your number of years in service, there will always be someone ahead of you.

If you want to evolve professionally, you need to lean on others from your network. In case you don't have trustworthy referrals to back you up, try attending relevant events to connect with people in your community, utilise social media (e.g. LinkedIn is the champ here), or get a mentor to navigate you through your job hunt. Switching careers involves doing things that will open the right doors, while cultivating sustainable relationships that could introduce you to the right people.

Did you make a mistake? Great, OWN IT!

Nobody's perfect. Even if you try your very best to prevent a grave error, it will happen at some point — it's inevitable, human nature and part of the learning process. While your knee-jerk reaction is to run away from your responsibilities, this will only escalate the situation. Try the more balanced approach that author of Four Seconds: All the Time You Need to Stop Counter-Productive Habits and Get the Results You Want, Peter Bregman, puts forth:

Stop pedalling so hard. Then, as momentum [loses] its force, begin to change direction.

Slowing down, acknowledging your workplace failures, finding solutions to problems or at least acting in ways that mitigate their effects, will help recuperate your reputation.

On that vein, business coach, Ana Patricia Bourgeois writes,

Taking responsibility demonstrates that you are mature and reliable. It also shows your managers that you know you are in charge of everything you say and everything you do. This could lead you to be assigned to bigger tasks and projects, which ultimately leads to more promotions and raises.

Vulnerability is an asset, so don't be afraid to show your weak side. You're very likely getting rewarded for it in the long run.

Remember, you are your own cheerleader

Anchor your value on how you presently perceive yourself and how you envision to be in three years time (thinking short term allows you to make more realistic and doable goals).

Kleiman adds,

Start by considering your end game — what’s the ultimate outcome you’d like to see? Work backwards from there.

At the end of the day, if you aren't your number ONE fan, who else will be? After all, who saved you at your lowest but you? And, accordingly, who will figure out how to move the needle in your career but you again?

Take inventory of and celebrate your, seemingly, little wins. Don't expect someone else to walk into your life, pat you on the shoulder and say, “Great job, keep it up!” It takes nothing to lull yourself into believing that “If I keep my head down and work my ass off, I’ll receive recognition and perks”. So, reflecting on and cherishing your achievements will motivate you towards greater ones.

Beating yourself up harms

Occasionally, the little voice of Imposter Syndrome harassing your mind will whisper that you aren't enough: not smart enough, not good enough, you name it.

Well, that's exactly the voice you need to shut up somehow — you don't need this kind of negativity in your life! Sadly, there will be a lot of people who rub their hands towards the prospect of dragging you down. DO NOT let them. When you're wrong, admit it, hold yourself accountable, fix it, and move on. Love your obstacles and problems; They're such great teachers. If you're falling short of a skill or a value, take the necessary steps to attain it.

Stuck in a career rut

What got you here won’t get you there.

– Marshall Goldsmith

Good shot, Goldsmith! Many of us prefer to stay in our little comfy cocoons or point blaming fingers to our employer for holding us back when, in reality, we're just intimidated by the idea of success.

That said, the root of your career jitters is not your authoritative boss or competitive coworker. The problem is probably staring at you in the mirror for not taking risks or upgrading your skills, and simply doing what has worked for you in the past.

It’s important to feel ready for the next challenge with a go-getter attitude. This means being revolutionary and strategic, proposing ideas, sharing insights and asking informed questions that will only push you forward. Also, don't hesitate to undertake work that rests outside your remit and skillset, even if that means plunging headlong in deep, unknown waters.

The world doesn’t stay immobile, waiting for you to tune in. If you don’t evolve along with it, and demonstrate that you're capable of more, you might be doomed to do a dead end job for the rest of your life.

Don't resist a plan

Just as you're required to formulate a business plan to attract stakeholders and fund your business, so too you're expected to create a personal strategy that will enable your professional development. Don't mislead yourself in believing that your ideal profession will be handed to you without performing your due diligence with respect to planning, goal-setting, etc. Being too spontaneous or clinging onto luck can result in no (desired) results. (You can even jot your goals down in paper and refer to them at a later time!)

Once you complete your self-evaluation and research, make a timeline and set realistic goals. Your plan should involve a bundle of specific, actionable steps that increase the possibility to pique the interest of hiring managers as a job candidate and, ultimately, facilitate your career advancement.

Final words

There we are, these are the biggest career mistakes to avoid. Truth is, career downturns can happen to anyone. They come in all shapes and sizes and have widespread consequences, but the ‘trick’ is knowing how to slip out of them with virtuosity… or, at least, recognising the signs so you don’t put your career to a screeching halt and get stuck.

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