What Could Hold Us Back
Often times, we can feel like outside circumstances can have a major impact on our careers. And although that might be true, those circumstances are only a small part of the reason we don’t move forward the way we’d like. With 18 years of working in Corporate America and over 10 years of coaching people on their careers, I’ve experienced how people can actually set themselves back in their own careers. Good news is that with an awareness of how we’re reacting or responding to situations at work, we can make some positive changes.
How To Surpass These Obstacles
There are 3 main areas where I see people holding themselves back the most. I explain each area below with a suggestion on how to move past these obstacles to experience more success.
Underestimating Our Strengths
We are often told to work on our weaknesses or areas of improvement. Yet, we are all hard-wired with a set of talents that when leveraged can provide our unique value to employers and clients. Although many of us are aware of where we excel in our lives, we might not actually think that a particular strength is special or can provide us an advantage at work.
Moving Forward
To fortify your confidence in your abilities, check out this assessment by the people from Gallup – – StrengthFinders 2.0. After taking this 35 minute assessment, you’ll receive a 19 page report verifying your talents which could be leveraged in to strengths. With the validation of your talents and more information on how to practice them at work, you’ll be able to have your own formula for succeeding. You will reduce your focus on your weaknesses and put energy toward bolstering what comes more naturally to you. And, think about it…what’s easier than being you?
Being Defined by a Failure
We’ve all made mistakes or had situations where things didn’t go the way we’d like. If we focus too much on what didn’t go well or hold on too tightly to trying to be right, we lose access to the opportunities in the present moment to move forward (because we’re ruminating about the past).
I’m sure we’ve all heard the positive perspectives to take on failure. For example, maybe we can learn something from the situation. We don’t always have to be right. It’s because I tried and failed that I succeeded. Well, they are all true!
What if you embraced a new perspective about failure? What if something didn’t go your way and it was actually for the best?
Moving Forward
Take a moment to evaluate what happened? Use this opportunity to talk with your boss or mentor to understand what went well and what could have been done differently. Then, think of a situation or opportunity to practice this new learning or insight that you’ve garnered. And, be grateful for the opportunity to learn something new.
Focusing on Self-Limiting Beliefs
When we don’t overcome our failures or if we let them define us, we further reinforce self-limiting beliefs (from our past) which come up as negative self-talk. As we’ve experienced at times, negative self-talk can be debilitating. It can stop us from taking action in key areas of our careers. So, it’s important to get to the root of what is underneath that negativity.
Moving Forward
I invite you to start noticing your thoughts when you’re approaching a situation or project at work you’re struggling with now. Just be aware of those thoughts (without judgement). With that awareness, ask yourself if that thought serves you or if it’s hurting you in some way. Does it provide any guidance on what you could be doing differently? If not, let that thought go.
As you can see, there are simple solutions to help you overcome challenges at work allowing you to have the power to move forward. Take these steps and feel empowered to enjoy all of your well-deserved success.
If you’d like support in any of these areas or practices, I’m offering a complimentary session where we can dive deeper in to the best solutions to help you move forward and be successful. Feel free to learn more about this session here.
This article originally appeared in the Title Connection.
For more tips from my Forbes colleagues and me, check out this article — Building Career Success: 11 Things to Keep in Mind.
