5 Things That Can Derail Your Career Progress (and It's Not What You?Think)

As a newly formed Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Learning team, we had the opportunity to create an experience for our employees that met them where they were. We thoughtfully discussed what our colleagues needed at a time when so much was happening in the world. We knew this event could be a learning solution for everyone to gain insights. One of the reasons why I love learning so much is because it can be a panacea for whatever is ailing an individual. Using our first learning initiative as WBD, I saw the opportunity to help people AND establish relationships for our new team of learning professionals.?

As we shared our thoughts about what would help our colleagues no matter where they were in their career journey, it was evident that everyone put their hearts into the work. Developing a webinar series was a great team-bonding exercise. The outcome of our collective experiences created something more impactful than what we would have done under normal circumstances. Sometimes the challenge of a situation makes you go deeper to resolve the problem better than you think you can. I am proud of the program the team delivered and wanted to share some wisdom from our learning initiative.?

Change, Change, and More Change

At a time when companies are shifting priorities to better position themselves, people are also thinking about how to move forward with their career plans. When your plans are disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances, it can be challenging to see the forest for the trees, as they say. What I mean is, we can look so long at the closed door that we don’t see the window of opportunity that has just opened for us (one of my favorite quotes).?

With this thought in mind, the learning team created a webinar series utilizing experts who shared deep insights for the best approaches to managing one’s career. The focus of each event centered on what is within one’s control, looking towards the window of opportunity. The takeaway was being mindful that anyone can make a positive change in their mindset, attitude, and ultimately their actions based on the goals they have for themselves.

Using Change as a Catalyst to Thrive?

I am not negating that change can negatively impact your plans, goals, and life in general. The reality is no one really likes involuntary change, especially when you are in a rhythm and have set your life in the order you desire. However, I realized that most “change” was outside my control years ago. Denying or resisting these events only made matters worse, and if I was going to successfully overcome them, I had to shift my approach.?

Utilizing change as a way to ignite my problem-solving skills gave me a new awareness. These thoughts opened my mind to explore how I could use any unappealing situation as an opportunity rather than an oppressive distraction. Everyone has a right to live up to their potential and thrive in their God-given talents. So, I quickly concluded that since unwanted changes are part of life, running from them would not allow me to realize my dreams. If I continued to run, I would always stay in mediocrity. I had to find a way to take control.

So What Things Can Derail Your Career Progress??

If you are tired of feeling like a victim due to situations in your career that you can’t control, here is a brief exercise to help you gain a new perspective. Then take it a step further and be objective about approaching the things that ARE within your control.?

For the webinar series, our panel of experts shared insights, tips, and tools for improving one’s outlook in light of changes. The key is to focus on what’s within your control. This thought process can help make all the difference in how you adjust and adapt to the shifts in the environment.

Here are 5 areas you control that can have a negative impact on your career?goals:?

Your Mindset — Have you pondered whether you are naturally a pessimist or an optimist? Everything starts with a thought. The quickest way to NOT achieve your goals is to talk yourself out of it. How you rationalize your decisions can impact what outcomes you gain (or not). Learn to trust yourself. Begin to assess how you approach problem-solving. Becoming self-aware and how you process change can give you clues about whether you are holding yourself back from succeeding in your career goals.?

Your Brand — What story are you telling about yourself and your work? A healthy outlook for your job is imperative to a fulfilling life professionally and personally. When you take time to develop self-awareness and understand how to positively talk about what you do — you gain visibility for your work and create new opportunities. Telling your story is all part of your brand, and developing your personal brand takes time. You can start by defining what is essential and how you want others to see you.?

Your Impact — What motivates you to perform at a high level? You may not know the answer to this question, but it’s simple. Are you focused on what you want to achieve or what you wish to avoid? This approach is similar to the perspective of looking at the glass half full or half empty — the choice is yours. Using your strengths, interests, and skills creates more positive thoughts and behaviors than if you try to suffer through work you don’t like. When your work is purposeful, this can aid in increased energy and a higher impact on your outcomes and those around you.

Your Wellness — When was the last time you took time for yourself? Your mental and physical wellness is imperative to pursuing your career goals. Understanding the best ways to improve mental stability and physical endurance helps create what some leaders call the corporate athlete . Establishing positive habits like exercising, eating healthy, and developing good sleeping rituals, can ward off stress. Further, you set yourself up for success by enhancing your ability to navigate challenges and perform well.

Your Influence — How are you showing up for yourself and others? One way to build relationships and progress towards your goals is by managing up. One of the most underrated skill sets is managing up , which can be correlated to proactively communicating with and influencing others to support your goals. Most notably, understanding what is important to your manager and their communication style will allow you to build a positive rapport. By taking a proactive approach to problem-solving and acting with empathy toward your colleagues, these tactics can help you gain clout. Collectively, these behaviors are within your control and aid in building your influence.

From Victim to?Victor

Now it’s time to take control. Let’s start by focusing on one item from the list above that resonated with you. Use a blank canvas to think deeply about the situation (this may involve some writing). This exercise will take you from helplessness to happiness with some planning.?

What has been the most challenging part of the process if you are navigating new changes? Explore the following questions and capture your answers to develop a plan:

• What solutions can you identify to overcome perceived blockers introduced by the changes?
• As you think about the perceived blockers, what ideas come to mind that this unwanted situation will allow you to pursue? Is it an opportunity to share your work in a positive light and gain visibility?
• Thinking about the solutions you listed, what areas can you explore, and how do they benefit you? How can you use your strengths, interests, and skills for higher impact?
• To have some accountability and set yourself up for success, what healthy habits do you need to develop, and who can help?
• How are you advocating for yourself and others? What skills should you develop to manage up appropriately??

Putting It All?Together

After capturing your thoughts, talk with a mentor, career coach, or friend who knows you well and can give more insights that may help. List your action items and give yourself due dates to keep moving forward. You can follow this process for each area you want to address (mindset, brand, impact, wellness, or influence).?

When it comes to career management, it’s about being cognizant that things will evolve, but having an agile plan is the key to making progress. Further, being open to different opportunities can bring a welcome shift that creates a new trajectory for your career path. And it starts with thinking objectively about those things within your control that can derail your plans. In 2023, one of your goals should be overcoming whatever you view as an unpleasant situation to become resilient in the process. Your future self will thank you because your career will thrive with this mindset shift.?

Stacey Young Rivers, Ph.D. is the Senior Director of People Growth + Enterprise Skills Strategy at Warner Bros. Discovery. With expertise in developing strategies to close skills gaps and build talent pipelines, she is also mom, author , and a 2021?Women of Color in STEM Technology All-Star .