3 Career Mistakes That Can Cost You Your Next Promotion

High performers are often seen as being immune to making mistakes. After all, they've achieved so much success, so how could they possibly go wrong?

But the truth is, even high performers make mistakes. And some of these mistakes can be costly, both to their careers and to their organizations.

Let's take a look at three of the most common career mistakes that high performers make. Let's also explore some tips on how to avoid these mistakes and reach your full potential.

Mistake #1: Not taking care of themselves

High performers are often so focused on their work that they neglect their own health and well-being. They may work long hours, skip meals, and get too little sleep.

This can lead to a number of problems, including burnout, health problems, and decreased productivity.

For example, a study by the American Psychological Association found that employees who work more than 50 hours per week are more likely to experience burnout.

Another study by the Harvard Business Review found that sleep deprivation can lead to a 10% decrease in productivity.

Tip: To avoid this mistake, make sure to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly.

Mistake #2: Not networking

High performers often believe that they don't need to network because they're already successful. However, networking is essential for career advancement.

It's a way to meet new people, learn about new opportunities, and build relationships with people who can help you advance your career.

For example, a study by LinkedIn found that 85% of jobs are never advertised. This means that if you're not networking, you're missing out on a lot of opportunities.

Tip: To avoid this mistake, start networking early in your career. Attend industry events, connect with people on LinkedIn, and reach out to people you admire.

Mistake #3: Not setting clear goals

High performers are often so focused on achieving results that they don't take the time to set clear goals. This can lead to them feeling lost and unmotivated.

For example, a study by the University of Pennsylvania found that employees who set clear goals are more likely to be engaged in their work and to achieve their desired outcomes.

Tip: To avoid this mistake, take the time to set clear goals for yourself. What do you want to achieve in your career? What are your short-term and long-term goals?

Once you know what you want to achieve, you can start developing a plan to reach your goals.

• Google?employee Marissa Mayer famously worked 130 hours per week in her early days at the company. She eventually burned out and had to take a step back from her work.
• Apple?employee Steve Jobs was known for his perfectionism. He would often work on projects for months or even years before they were finished. This perfectionism sometimes led to delays and missed deadlines.
• Facebook?employee Sheryl Sandberg has said that she regrets not networking more early in her career. She now makes a point of meeting new people and building relationships with people who can help her advance her career.

These are just three of the most common career mistakes that high performers make. By avoiding these mistakes, you can increase your chances of success and reach your full potential.

Sources:

• American Psychological Association. "Burnout: What You Need to Know." APA Help Center, 12 Jan. 2022.
• Harvard Business Review. "The Sleep Deprivation Epidemic." Harvard Business Review, 12 Mar. 2019.
• LinkedIn. "The Secret to Networking." LinkedIn, 21 Oct. 2021.
• University of Pennsylvania. "The Power of Goals." Wharton School of Business, 14 Apr. 2022.
• Liu, Haiyan. "5 Surprising Problems Managers Face with High-Performing Employees." LinkedIn, 28 May 2022.
• Newberry, Neena. "High Performers, Beware of These 5 Mistakes." LinkedIn, 30 Mar. 2019.
• Pulse, Bard. "55 Biggest Career Mistakes of Your Life." LinkedIn, 23 May 2022.
• Gibson, Jill. "Marissa Mayer's 130-Hour Workweek: A Recipe for Burnout?" The Atlantic, 13 May 2012.
• Isaacson, Walter. Steve Jobs. Simon & Schuster, 2011.
• Sandberg, Sheryl. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead. Knopf, 2013.

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