Sometimes we can all be our own worst enemies, and I'm no exception. There are times when I have tons of work that needs to be done and even though I know how important it is, I just can't seem to get focused and get it done. Then, I spend so much time beating myself up about the lack of motivation that I still don't get anything accomplished. It's frustrating. What makes it worse is that feeling that if I just tried harder, things would be better.
If you've found yourself in this situation, whether you are looking for a great new job or just struggling to perform well at your current job, it's important to remember that you are your own personal brand. Instead of looking at them as things you have to do, try to see the tasks as adding value to your brand..
When you're stuck in a rut or feeling as though you can't get ahead, it's important to take an honest look at your work performance in order to see how you could be holding yourself back. Here are 5 ways that you could be sabotaging your own career:
Being late or not showing up - We all have hectic lives and there are times when you have to be late. These times should be a rare exception. When you are late to work, you make others have to wait to do their job. It's not fair to them and will quickly cause your co-workers to resent you and be less likely to help you when you need it. If you are always running late, look for new ways to make your mornings easier.
Not returning calls or emails - This one happens to me more that I'd like to admit. What happens is that I'll check my email on my iPhone and see a message that needs a well thought out reply. I might not have time to type it all out in that moment, so I make a mental note to remember to send an email later. Then I forget all about it. A better way to handle the problem is to set aside specific times for sorting through your messages and reply to every one of them. Even if you don't have the answer they need, send a reply that states when you will have the information. This way, the other person won't be waiting and wondering if they are important.
Doing just enough to get by - I think that almost everyone has done this at some point in their lives. You're working at a job you hate, and do just enough work to not get fired. This type of mindset will stall your career and can teach you bad habits that take years to break. Take pride in your work and know that anything worth doing is worth doing well. If you can't muster up enough concern to do your job well, maybe it's time to think about other career options.
Blaming others - The blame game is a no-win scenario. Even if something is preventing you from accomplishing your task, take responsibility. No one cares whose fault it is and complaining about it only wastes more time. Make integrity part of your personal brand by taking responsibility for both your mistakes and your successes.
Forgetting to say "Thank you" - Everyday, no matter where you work, there are people who do things that make your job easier. Make sure that you thank them. When you get an opportunity to work on a new project or improve your skills, be grateful. The simple act of saying thanks can change your life.
If any of these sound familiar, it could be time to make some changes. When you change the way you think about what you do, your life and your career prospect will change too.
What do you think about this list? Are you guilty of any of these? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for BusinessWorkForceBlog and Nexxt. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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