Banish Career Fear Today

For most of us, getting ahead in our careers is a huge concern. It isn't always about getting a promotion or earning a raise. It's mostly about building a career to be proud of and moving closer toward the next step on our career paths. It's about growing, both professionally and personally, and about living the life we want to live.

One of the biggest things that stop many people from reaching their full career potential is fear. Fear is a tricky thing and it will go to great lengths to prevent us from taking chances and putting too much of ourselves on the line. The problem with that is, when the stakes aren't high, the rewards aren't nearly as as sweet. To build a career to be proud of, we have to try to banish career fear.

Here are four of the most common fears that prevent people from reaching their goals:

To ask for help – Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness. We all need help from time to time. Looking at my career (and my life), I can honestly say that not asking for help until it was almost too late or trying to work things out on my own for way too long has been a huge issue and has caused small problems to turn into much larger ones. People love to help others, so surround yourself with people who are smarter and more successful than you are and don't be afraid to ask them for help or advice as needed.

To find a mentor – Having a mentor can do wonders for your career. Unfortunately, most professionals don't have them and haven't considered finding one. There seems to be this misconception that getting a mentor is only something you should do when you're struggling in your career or just starting out. The truth is that having a more experienced person give you guidance and support can be a huge help at any point in your career.

To show your passion – I'm not sure why, but many people are afraid to show how much they love what they do. It's as though they think that loving the company they work for makes them un-cool. It's just like middle school all over again. Instead of worrying about being a part of the “cool clique”, show your passion and don't be afraid to let clients and co-workers know how much you care about what you do.

Trust your instincts – There will be times in both your career and your personal life when you'll have an opportunity to take a chance and do something risky. Although it's good to consider the advice of your friends, family and colleagues, if they are saying “no” but your gut is saying “yes”, don't be afraid to trust your instincts. When it comes right down to it, you are the one who knows you best and, in the end, you will pay the price for a mistake. Don't allow fear to cause you to mistrust your own voice.

Getting rid of fear isn't an easy task. Even when you work through it, it will always be there to get in your way. If you're feeling stuck in your career and want to shake things up, try spending a week doing all of the things that you're afraid of. It just might be the best week of your life!

What do you think? Do you let fear get in the way of your career development? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.

Image source: MorgueFile