Have you ever made a career decision you regretted?

Have you ever made a career decision you regretted? Be it a job you’ve taken, a job you've left, the timing of each, an opportunity you dismissed, an area you specialized in, or even a change in direction? I haven't, and here is my two cents worth on the matter.

The correctness of your decision may depend on how successful your next step is, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. While you may not find what you’re searching for in a career step, here is what you should consider as you make your decision:

? Make your decision for the right reasons: do not settle for anything just because you want to change your status quo. Be clear on why you are embarking on a new step before you pursue it.

? ?Do your due diligence in assessing what is right for your career: make sure your next step is aligned with your area of expertise, gives your experience justice, and offers growth opportunities.

? ?There is right learning even in a wrong decision: some stops in our career come to expose us to what is not suitable for us and help us set and protect our boundaries, so that we navigate our path with more clarity.

? ?Wrong decisions are the ones that sometimes help you recognize your potential and maximize it: when things don’t go the way you aspire, you start exploring other options and knocking on new doors, and you might uncover an area of strength you didn’t consider building on and shape your next move around it.

? ?Your professional value may not necessarily be valued and utilized: you will work in places where your skillset is much needed and valued, and in other places where it might be considered mediocre. Allow yourself time to learn and grow but seek a move if your worth is not aligned with the expectations of your employer.

? ?Sticking to the comfort zone can harm your growth: commonly, there is fear in leaving what you know for what you don’t know. This may lead you to tolerate what is not right for you because you aren’t open to taking risks. What is the worst that could happen? If one thing doesn’t work, you explore another.

? ?If you encounter a setback, take time to rebuild and reorient yourself: one wrong decision will not define you and your worth. Make sure you take the time to assess your experience, learn from it, and move forward knowing better what you want and don’t want.

? ?Your career journey isn’t about absolute loyalty: it’s about your growth and your contribution. If one of them is hindered, it’s time to make a move.