The 10 mistakes you should avoid when developing your career
Updated: Nov 23
Author: Reda HADDOU
Date of Publication: 25/05/2022
Developing your career as intentionally as possible is a key success factor for your professional life. Here are the most common and damaging career mistakes you would want to avoid when developing your career.
Avoid these career mistakes while focusing on your career development
1 - Lack of insight or reflection
This has the impact of creating situations solely. It happens due to the fact that some people are not paying attention to how things work or to their own behavior.
2 - Wrong objectives leading to wrong results
We are not paid for attendance but for achieving objectives. Nowadays, there is a false belief that anyone who is busy is successful, But, in reality, busy is another word for ineffective. Why would you try to prove that you work longer if in the end you achieve less of your objectives? Instead, try focussing more on what truly matters, and you will start yielding twice the results for half the effort.
3 - Chronic absences and lateness
Too many absences or lateness lead nowhere except to a reputation of unreliability.
4 - Refusal to admit mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes and, in principle, everyone is supposed to learn from them. Hence, refusing to admit your mistakes results in a huge loss of trust capital and learning. Mistakes will also likely be repeated if they are not admitted.
5 - Inappropriate use of the Internet in the office
It doesn't matter if it's watching a show, looking at your Facebook page or shopping online, wasting company resources will be discovered sooner or later. What’s even worse about this, is that you are wasting precious time on things that don’t matter. You should be the one who cares the most about your growth. So, go make yourself proud for achieving challenging tasks and learning new things. Your future self will thank you!
6 - Cultural maladjustment
Everyone has the choice to change their behavior, to leave, or to be fired if they don't know how to adapt. However, there are companies in which adaptation is really hard. In such cases, you have to be smart and take matters into your own hands before it damages your career.
7 - Not honoring commitments
There is nothing more devastating to an image than not keeping your word. No one will want to work with you if you are not doing what you said you would do. This is because people will see you as irresponsible, and you will not be counted on.
8 - Complacent behavior
Those who think that the company or the manager owes them a debt of gratitude, have an unpleasant flaw. No one is indispensable, and thinking that you are will make you less humble. In addition, being complacent will prevent you from trying harder and really giving your best.
9 - Not bothering to think outside the box
Not knowing how to take time to think or be creative, or not doing it because of a lack of energy, means that the manager will find someone else to do it. Simply doing your job is within the reach of hundreds of people. Therefore, it is essential that you add value to whatever you are doing.
10 - Criticise management or a key person
You have to take responsibility for everything you say at work because it could be repeated and broadcast. Most of the time the law of silence doesn’t exist, even when you think you are opening up to a very close and trustful colleague. Therefore, it’s always better not to talk negatively of someone who is also in your workplace. If you think that there is something worth mentioning, talk to your manager directly.
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