Many business writers and commentators write articles about the things that you should be doing in your career – but you often see less articles about what you shouldn’t be doing. If you want to have a long career in which you enjoy working and you feel satisfaction in what you do, you definitely shouldn’t make these 8 crucial mistakes. If you do find yourself making any of these mistakes, don’t worry – do the opposite instead.
Overlooking Skills and Education
One of the worst things that you can do in your career is to forget about skills development and education. No matter what you’re doing, you can always get a new perspective on what you do through training and skills courses. Education is one of the best things to continue to invest in throughout your career, no matter whether it’s construction NVQs or digital marketing courses. Investing in your skill set is one of the best things you can do throughout your career – don’t forget your own development to focus on the day-to-day all the time!
Underestimating Soft Skills
Soft skills are some of the best things you can have in the workplace, and often can’t be taught with a special course. Soft skills refer to everyday human skills such as effective communication, organisation, solving problems, and working in a team. These skills are all very crucial things to have in a workplace, and could be the difference between you getting a promotion or not. Investing in your soft skills through practising them with the local community and through seminars could help you develop these crucial soft skills.
Ignoring Burnout
One of the worst mistakes anyone makes in any career is ignoring burnout. When you work a lot and put a lot into your job, you can get a lot of satisfaction. However, when you do this without clear breaks and rest, it can result in burnout which can make you very unwell. Burnout can lead to skill regression, exhaustion, depression and even physical illnesses such as colds and insomnia. Navigating burnout can be very difficult, especially if you’re in a high-powered career – however, making sure to take regular rests and using your holidays are some of the best ways you can avoid burnout.
Not Communicating Any Struggles
Many people like to show their self-sufficiency and problem-solving skills through getting through problems without complaint – however, this can lead to burnout and can lead to larger problems. If you’re having issues with a task or project, make sure to speak up – people can help you navigate the issue, as well as providing assistance and support. Speaking up about problems is essential if you want to get your work done effectively and prevent stress in the workplace.
Not Having A Plan
Many people go into their career without a clear plan in place, which means they often don’t know the path their career is going to take. In the modern world, job navigation is a lot different than it was in the past – however, you should have a loose plan for where you eventually want to end up, as well as your long-term goals. This will help you not lose sight of your goals and dreams, and help you navigate a career that fulfils you and satisfies your needs.
Ignoring Feedback
Feedback is one of the most crucial things you need to be able to succeed in your career – both positive and negative feedback allows you to know the things that you have done right, and the things that you need to improve on. Feedback is essential when it comes to skills development, and you should be taking it on board to improve your workplace skills and talents. When you ignore feedback, you end up not being able to evolve and grow your career – so make sure you take feedback very seriously.
Limiting Your Network
Limiting your network is one of the worst things you can do if you want to grow your career. When you have a good network of people around you, they can help you find upskilling opportunities, great events and seminars, as well as bring your attention to what’s happening in the industry. In many cases, knowing the right person can make you aware of an opportunity that could transform your career. Don’t limit your network – make full use of networking events, LinkedIn, and other avenues so you can build a solid network.
Not Paying Attention To The Industry
It’s crucial that you pay attention to your industry as much as possible if you want to succeed in your career. Industry news can change the way your business needs to operate, and if you aren’t aware of it, it could lead to a big problem. For example, many construction companies in the UK were caught out when laws surrounding CSCS cards changed – this meant that many workers couldn’t do their job until they got their NVQ. Paying attention to industry developments is crucial if you want to further your career.