Are you sabotaging your own career?

Success looks different for each of us.

For some, success might mean moving up their career, having a two or three-letter title such as VP or CEO, or having a nice office at the top floor. ??? For others success means gaining new skills and competencies that keep them excited and engaged. ?? Some might view success as having a healthier balance or integration between their professional and personal life. ???? And others feel successful when they’re more influential and respected - regardless of title or position. ??

In the same way, sabotage may take different forms in each of us. Though some of our beliefs and behaviors might seem like they’re keeping us safe from harm, these can also be what’s costing us our career success. ??

Having coached hundreds of professionals, I observed these 3 unhealthy thoughts that keep them stuck or stagnant. I also shared tips on how you can work through them.

?? “I am not good enough”

I coached a client a few years back, who has so much potential she quickly rose up the ranks. But every time her manager asks for a volunteer for a project or asks questions in a group setup, she finds herself in doubt. “Can I really do it?,” she asks herself. After a couple of coaching sessions, she proudly told me she volunteered for a project in her new role.?

Doubting your beliefs and abilities, thinking that you don’t measure up, can be costing you opportunities. You might have had regrets after-the-fact when you saw how things turned out and realized, “hey, I can do that too.”?

Pro Career Tip:

Keep a list or even photos of your big and small accomplishments. Save them on your desktop, put them up your wall or use them as your phone screensaver. Going back to the things you have already done successfully will remind you of what you’re capable of.?

And before jumping to the conclusion that you can’t do it or that you’re not good enough, gather the facts first. Understand what the requirements are and how you fit in.?

?? “Success is only for the privileged few.”

If I were to be blunt, I’d say this is an easy excuse for not maximizing your potential or not going after your goals. I’ve heard people say, “She’s successful because she’s rich and has all the money to spend to start up” or “He came from the best school so he’s a mile ahead.”

Really now??

There are many successful people who started from scratch. To me, it’s not a matter of privilege, it’s all about what you do with what you have. You can choose to self-pity and blame circumstances, or you can get started on something.

Pro Career Tip:

Create an inventory of all the resources you have. Include people you know, tools you have access to, technology, institutions that can help, etc. I’ve read stories of freelancers who started their first virtual assistance gig without a laptop and using only their phone! I also had a participant in a program I facilitated who created her research report also without a laptop and only through her phone.?

?? “My past failures define my future.”

We all make mistakes. At some point in our lives, we fail. And when we fail, it means that we tried. We tried doing something even if it felt scary, risky or uncertain. That alone is something to be proud of. It means you believed strongly in something and in yourself.

Oprah and Walt Disney experienced getting fired. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. Henry Ford’s first two automobile companies failed. (Read more here)

What matters is how we use our failures to teach us.?

Pro Career Tip:

Instead of keeping track of all your past failures, keep track of the lessons you learned from those failures. Each time you’re able to apply the lesson you learned, give yourself a pat on the back or a small reward.?

We’re all in this together

I’m not immune to these thoughts. Sometimes, I also doubt myself and wonder what’s wrong with me. There are times that I also wish I had more of what others have. What helped me was being mindful of when these unhealthy thoughts cross my mind – noticing them and intentionally choosing how to respond.?

It’s not easy going through this highly competitive work environment and noisy world. But being attuned with our own inner world helps us navigate our life and careers better.?

If you’d like to explore more of your own inner world, define your goals your way, uncover your strengths and motivations and create an actionable strategy for your career, join my Career Planning and Strategy series on Aug 15, 20 and 23.?

This is a limited offer so make sure to save your spot now: https://bit.ly/careerplanning2024

For more tips on career, leadership and coaching, check out these FREE resources.

?? Free courses: https://kurlydeguzman.thinkific.com

?? My Article in International Coaching Federation Coaching World Blog: Starting a Thriving Coaching Practice from Zero - Read here

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Coach Kurly de Guzman is a Career and Leadership Coach and one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices based in the Philippines. She continuously seeks ways to help coaches, leaders and teams thrive through her newsletter, leadership and career development workshops as well as group and 1:1 coaching sessions for clients.

To work with Kurly, send an email to [email protected] or book an exploratory call to discuss your organization’s needs here.