Avoid These Costly Career Mistakes

In any human endeavor, mistakes are bound to happen. Your career is no exception, and knowing what to do when things are less than ideal will save you time and energy as you get back on the right track.

Here are nine of the most avoidable mistakes professionals often make – and tips on how to resolve them.

1. Staying in a Job that Drains You

So many people get into a particular role for reasons that serve an immediate purpose but won’t sustain them over the long haul. Factors can vary from parent expectations to acquiring much-needed skills for the next step in your journey. Whether you are just starting out in the workforce or feeling unfulfilled in your current position, pause to assess your current strengths and interests. Research various career paths or consult with a career counselor. Be honest with yourself about what will happen if you don’t make any changes and stay in a job that you dread. Start to make plans to step out of your comfort zone and into something which will energize you and benefit your employer. Remember to build up a financial cushion so you can afford that small leap.

2. Lacking Concrete Goals

No matter where you are in your career, setting goals with realistic and measurable steps, both big and small, will keep you moving forward and focused on a bigger picture. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting in a rut and cruising along on auto-pilot instead of putting real effort into your work. It’s a useful exercise to periodically take stock of where you are and envision where you would like to be, both professionally and personally, then outline what’s required to get there.

3. Know It All Thinking

If you think you have your job completely figured out, it could be a sign you may need a fresh perspective – such as a critique from a supervisor to help identify ways you can improve – or you’re ready for something new. Top performers regularly learn new things, whether it’s taking classes, getting more training or reading more. Keep embracing new technology and social media, using it to stay on top of trends and information. Stay curious and never assume you know it all.

4. Neglecting Breaks

Even if you love what you do, taking a break now and then will help you refresh, recharge and come back to work with increased energy and enthusiasm. Honor your personal time and use it to rest, enjoy family and friends and have a life outside of your work identity. Avoid letting your job totally define you.

5. Not Taking an Initiative

Practice being resourceful. Identify what needs to be done and come up with a plan for making it happen. Spot problems or ways things could be done better, then think of ways to improve the situation. Be proactive with communication also – anticipate when clients or supervisors would benefit from updates instead of responding when they ask. It will do wonders for your reputation as a dynamic, trustworthy individual.

6. Not Prioritizing Your Health

Demanding environments and overwhelming hours can affect your health. Expect better for yourself. If your job is taking a physical or emotional toll, it’s time to make a change. Studies show overworked employees are not as efficient and are more likely to come to work late or call in sick. Exercise, rest and healthy eating are all important factors when it comes to a productive professional.

7. Leaving on Bad Terms

In this era of frequent job changes and growing freelance opportunities, it’s amazing how former supervisors, clients and colleagues circle back into the picture throughout our careers, even after we’ve long since left them behind. It pays to leave jobs and colleagues on good terms. Maintain a professional demeanor and never badmouth or gossip about a former boss or coworker. You never know when it could come back to haunt you.

8. Ignoring an Error

Mistakes are inevitable; learning from them is a choice. When something goes wrong, examine what happened, why it happened, and how you can keep it from happening again. Find and embrace the lesson in everything that doesn’t go as well as you had hoped. Resist the urge to cover up and downplay a blunder on the job; instead, share the wisdom you have gained with others on your team to help keep them from making the same mistake.

9. Negative Self Talk

A positive attitude is one of the key ingredients for a successful, productive and enjoyable life. Plus, it makes it a lot easier for others to be around you. If you tend to see the glass as half empty, take steps to change your mindset: read books on the subject, subscribe to inspirational quotes and stories on social media and avoid spending time with complainers. This doesn’t mean ignoring problems; it means also noticing the good things in life and believing that things can always get better.

You may also like Fine Tune Your Email Etiquette. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on Huff Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.