What’s standing in the way of your success? You may think it’s external factors, such as lack of skills, training or experience. In reality, the thing that could be holding you back from achieving more in your career may be much closer to home. It could be something as simple as a bad habit.
And this is nothing new. In fact, according to a recent Harvard Business Review article, 97 percent of today’s employees have at least one career-limiting habit.
So what’s yours? And more importantly, what can you do about it?
Common Habits That Limit Career Advancement
The first step in overcoming these barriers to success is recognizing which one(s) you are battling. For instance, you could be practicing one or more of the following career-hindering habits without even realizing it.
- Taking on too much – If you have trouble saying “no,” you’re probably always stressed out. You could also be developing a reputation for failing to deliver.
- Low EQ – Not listening to or genuinely engaging with others. Remember – people naturally follow leaders who inspire, engage and support.
- Small-picture perspective – If your focus is solely on short-term goals, you can’t adequately plan and prepare for the future.
- Resistance to change – Like it or not, the world of work is changing. If you’re not agile, open and willing to adapt yourself accordingly, you will get left behind.
- Risk aversion – Achieving success often means stepping out of your comfort zone and taking risks. Avoiding potential risk out of fear or uncertainty will result in missing out on amazing opportunities.
- Lack of follow-through – Not doing what you promised you’d do can result in a serious lack of trust from those around you.
- Procrastination – Leaving things until the last minute can lead to lackluster performance and missed deadlines, which will label you as unreliable and hinder career advancement.
- Lack of ownership – If you aren’t willing to go the extra mile and instead follow the “not my job” philosophy, don’t expect to earn the respect and trust of your colleagues.
What Can You Do About It?
Once you know what you’re up against, you can take the following steps toward overcoming that bad habit.
1. Put it in writing
Jot down what’s bothering you to flush out the reasons why you’ve fallen into the bad habit in question.
2. Identify your desired outcome
What, exactly, is the end result you’d like to accomplish? Developing specific goals can help you hone in on the best way to overcome the issue you’re dealing with.
For instance, if you’re guilty of procrastinating, it may be because you’re unhappy with the role you’re currently in. In this case, a career shift might make sense. Read more in: Planning a Successful Career Shift
3. Enlist the help of others
Could a mentor or coach help you better identify, develop and achieve your goals?
Or, perhaps obtaining feedback through an informal 360 review could help you pinpoint problem areas where improvements can and should be made. Learn more at: Why Feedback Can Supercharge Your Career
4. Make conscious, positive changes
As productivity expert and author Jim Loehr put it, “By managing your energy to focus on the matter at hand, you can overcome a negative situation and increase your human capital in the process.”
New habits often require new skills, so it may be worth making an investment in professional development activities, such as a training workshop, leadership coaching or reading a book.
5. Don’t give up
The average time it takes for a new habit to stick is somewhere around 66 days (Source: How Are Habits Formed) In other words, it’s not something that will happen overnight. Commit yourself, don’t give up and you will eventually reap the benefits of a brighter future and a more successful career down the road.
Entrepreneur and startup enthusiast John Rampton once said: “Bad habits are called ‘bad’ for a reason. They kill our productivity and creativity. They slow us down. They hold us back from achieving our goals.”
What are you doing to hold up your career?
Schedule a complimentary 20-minute telephone consultation with me to help pinpoint the problem and develop a real, actionable strategy to kick those career-limiting habits once and for all.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Author: Joanne Loberg of JL Careers Inc. is a Certified Executive Coach and Internationally Certified Career Management Professional. She has a reputation as a highly sought after Career Consultant and she has been referred to as “an absolute expert at navigating the complex territory of career advancement.” Copyright JL Careers Inc. All rights reserved.
Wishing you much career success!
Joanne Loberg
Certified Executive Coach & Internationally Certified Career Management Professional
JL Careers Inc
