INTRODUCTION:
Welcome to part 2 of career mistakes to avoid. In my last post I shared with you the first three of six career mistakes to avoid. Today, I’m rounding out the list of six with three more. They are: 4) Not having a support system; 5) Not networking; and 6) Neglecting your life outside of work.
4. Not having a support system:
We all need a support system. It could be a former manager, a colleague with more or different experience than you. You need someone who can inspire you to take action. That person can be someone who has gotten to the point in their career where you are aspiring. You also need a strong personal support system in the way of your spouse, partner, or significant other, who has your back. You can also get a coach to keep you tracking towards your goals and encourage you when you feel like giving up.
5. Not networking:
I admit that networking has never been my favorite pass time. In fact, I hate networking it. As much of an introvert as I am, my shy side wants to hide around people I don’t know. Truthfully, I have personally not met many people who enjoy networking. Every successful career depends on this necessary “evil” to some extent. So, one positive outcome of the pandemic was the advent of online networking events. That means that we can participate in online forums, virtual professional association meetings; speaking engagements, etc. These are all healthy ways to ease onto the networking scene. We all know that the all-virtual world will not last forever. But, you will hopefully this landscape will help you make a more comfortable transition to in-person networking when it returns.
6. Neglecting life outside of work:
This is one of the most common mistakes that I see many people make. The need for work/life balance is real. We already spend most of our waking hours at work. So, don’t let your career become your life. I’ve seen marriages fail and parents/child relationships suffer because of demanding careers. I get it. It’s difficult to maintain a healthy balance. But, if you don’t do so, you could start to resent that awesome job that you’ve been blessed with. I know, I have been there. Try to quietly set boundaries around when to stop working…especially if you work remotely at all. Designate certain days or times of day especially for your family, friends, other loved ones, or some you time.
CONCLUSION:
As I shared in part 1 of this series, making sound career choices can help you provide better for your family. So, take thoughtful steps to become a well-rounded person, spiritually, professionally, personally, emotionally, and physically. Being a well-rounded person will enable you to quickly re-center yourself during unwanted professional shifts. Being well-rounded will also help you to navigate to each new level in your career. Commit not only to doing what it takes to build your career. But, also commit to doing what it takes to be a strong person overall. Believe me, it is during tough times that you will appreciate your multi-faceted approach to life.
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My goal is to help you live your best career life. So, as always, career search success to you. Go Get Your New Job!
