5 Horrible Mistakes You're Making That Could Ruin your Career

Sometimes, careers can be so overwhelming. We can get so lost in our jobs, that it becomes so easy to make little (-or not so little) mistakes that could ruin our careers.

Here are some horrible mistakes you're probably making with your career and how to fix them;

Taking little to no action in improving your skills

  Let’s face it – we all love to be a little bit more comfortable every now and then, take a break from the race of life and not have to worry about the next step. We have all been there, but taking this notion into your career could really ruin your chances in the long run. Instead of sticking with what you know, develop the habit of learning something new everyday and take up courses, workshops, anything and everything that would add up to your skillset. Skills that you can use to pump up that resume and give prospective companies no choice but to hire you.

Being the "introvert" in the office

   Having the traits of a ‘wallflower’ is pretty normal. More normal than you would think. Incorporating those traits into your personal office etiquette is where you have it all wrong. No one wants to be the ‘rejected stone’ in the office, but every workspace seem to have one.

Here’s how to prevent being the one;

Network.

This is a hard feat for extreme introverts, but if you want to be successful, you have to step out of your comfort zone.

What’s more?

Networking can really boost your career, if you meet the right people. Your professional friends will come in handy when you hit a crossroad, or need help with something outside your scope. However, take care not to be too close to your co-workers, or mix personal and professional life. It has been proven to do more harm than good.

Claiming ITK "I Too Know"

 Ever heard of this saying – “No man is an island”? The truth of the matter is that you really can’t do it all alone. That is why there are leaders and there are learners. Even leaders don’t do it all on their own. So, the next time your colleague is showing you how it’s done, or you get a review on your performance concerning a project, take it as your chance to learn and broaden your knowledge. Who knows? You might become an island someday (Wink!).

Suffering from an insane goal deficit

 “A man without a plan is a man without direction” says Rod Cornelius. And he’s right. Setting up goals, long-term or short-term, can help you structure yourself in your workspace, and give you a sense of organisation. This isn’t limited to your company only. Set goals for your career; what you want to be, when you want to be, how you want to be, etc. Setting realistic goals can give your life an overall meaning, and makes you feel much better in the long run.

Always readily available

It is a common notion that one should always strive to impress his or her boss.. as it should be. But here’s the thing; Being readily available every second of the day makes you a perfect fit for your job, which is supposed to be a good thing, but isn’t. Your bosses will feel like you take your job like your second personal life, and it would be hard to consider you for a promotion, seeing as no one can top your dedication.

This isn’t to say you shouldn’t take your job seriously- please do. However, cultivate the habit of sharing tasks and training interns (if you have any) to do the job well. This shows you’re capable of being a leader, as well as handling a bigger position which might require a bigger team.

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