Stop Sabotaging Your Career with These Common Career Mistakes.

by Alia Booley

Are you unhappy and find it challenging to succeed in your career? Are you qualified but still finding it nearly impossible to land the dream job or the promotion?

Your desperate attempt to pay the bills leads you to apply for almost any job. You are anxiously awaiting a response to your application. You have received another rejection email. Your hope is gone, you feel defeated, you question your worth, and you think that you will remain in this miserable job.

Regardless of our circumstances or where we are in our careers, we all strive towards success. Yet, on the way, we will all make mistakes. You can learn a lot from your mistakes, but some can do more harm than good to your career.

Career Mistake Two: Not working with a mentor

Unless you have a mentor, you may sabotage your career if you keep making the same mistakes. A mentor acts as a trusted advisor, holding you accountable and knowing where you need to improve. One of the most valuable things I gained from my mentor was to take ownership of my career, shift my mindset, and change my strategy. A mentor can also provide clarity, keep you focused, and keep you on track.

Here are four career mistakes that may be sabotaging your career journey.

Career Mistake One: Believing your self-worth is defined by your title

You believe that you must work hard to build a successful career, putting in extra hours often at the expense of your family time. You work hard to prove that you are an outstanding employee. You seek recognition from your manager, who may or may not recommend you for promotion or pay increase. But what if you don't get the raise, don't get an above-average performance appraisal rating, or don't get the promotion? Would this be confirmation you're not good enough? Now you question your self-worth; you get angry, resent your manager, and feel like a failure because you look for external validation. Whenever you question your self-worth or sacrifice your life to work at a job that makes you unhappy, it's time to make a change. Act now, update your resume, expand your network.

Career Mistake Three: You don't have a career plan

There's a reason why so many people are unhappy and overwhelmed: their careers don't align with their lifestyles. Careers that do not align with your values, passion, and purpose in life can be detrimental to your mental and physical health. Why? Misalignment between your career and values could lead to depression or even physical illness.

As plans are essential to any big decision in life, whether you're going on a road trip or buying a house, the same applies to your career. A career plan will help you set clear goals and ways to achieve these goals. This plan will help you identify where you are on your career path and where you need to be. With a career plan, you can track your progress, and you are therefore more likely to achieve your goals and stay motivated.

Career Mistake Four: You remain stuck in a job that makes you unhappy

Are you having fun at work? Is it rewarding to work with your colleagues every day? Do you feel motivated to get up for work in the morning? Researchers found that people who enjoy their jobs are more productive, creative, and healthy. If you remain in an unfulfilling job, you may experience stress, anxiety, burnout, and even depression. Your mental health and happiness should always come first.

Remember, it is never too late to start over, learn a new skill, and have fun. A career plan and a mentor can also be helpful when considering a change in your career or job.