Made any scary career moves lately?
Not like deciding to leave your accounting job and start a goat farm . . .or leaving your goat farm to join an accounting firm.
No, the true scary moves are ones you’re making without even realizing you’re making them.
They’re the ones getting in the way of your continued success and growth.
Here are the five scary career moves I see smart professionals like you making most often, along with suggestions on what to do instead.
5 Scary Career Moves You’re Making
Scary Move #1: Assuming your good work will be rewarded.
Don’t hide behind the outdated belief that your work will speak for itself.
Truth is, when you’re doing your great work, it’s likely no one’s thinking about you.
You’re not a problem to be solved. You’re not causing any pain to the organization.
Which is great, except that it’s easy to be taken for granted.
That’s especially true when we’re working in remote environments and are feeling a bit hidden.
Most of your colleagues and leaders are just too busy and focused on their own challenges to really pay close attention to all the value you’re bringing.
It’s not that they don’t want to, or that they’re mean or intentionally ignoring you.
It’s just that it takes time and focus.
So if you want your work to be acknowledged and rewarded, you have to create the time and focus.
You have to learn how to speak for the work, connecting the dots for others about why what you do makes a difference.
Learning how to talk about your work–how to brag, even–is a good first step. [More tips in my video here. ]
Scary Move #2: Working harder and longer when you’re not growing as fast as you want.
I used to think the best way to grow was to continually move up in my organization. After all, that’s what successful people do, right?
I worked more hours. Took on more projects. Lost more sleep, gained more weight.
Sure, I moved “up.” But somehow, “up” didn’t really deliver what I wanted.
It was time to get clear on who I was NOW and what I wanted in my life at work.
It wasn’t easy. I struggled for too long.
But after hiring my first coach and doing the work, I had a better understanding of what was working at my work. I could better articulate what “growth” looked like for me–and it wasn’t “up.”
Investing the time and energy in getting clear about who you are and what you want helps you focus your work on what matters most to you. (I’ve created videos like this and classes like this so you don’t struggle like I did).
Scary Move #3: Assuming that since you’ve survived so far, your company and your role are secure.
Raise your hand if you know a friend or a colleague who worked for a big-name, successful company—and unexpectedly lost their job.
If we haven’t learned the lesson by now, let’s reinforce it: even successful, money-making companies are constantly changing their talent mix.
And when the talent mix needs to change, you could be next.
Even if you’re working for an amazing, “great place to work” company, remember that:
- Technology keeps changing (and can outdate your most profitable product) . . .
- The world keeps connecting (and an overseas organization you never heard of could buy your company) . . .
- People keep being people (and one person’s ethical slipup can bring down your stock value or entire leadership team).
Don’t cede control of your career. If what you have is great, love it and appreciate it, but don’t count on it forever.
Get ideas and action in my article “Job Stability: How to Create it in an Uncertain World of Work.”
Scary Move #4: Not spending time on LinkedIn since you’re not looking for a new job
Here’s a gentle push to those of you whose LinkedIn profile doesn’t have a photo, includes skimpy info or doesn’t have many connections.
You’re sending the message that you’re outdated and out-of-the-loop.
You may as well be wearing plaid bell bottoms.
Even if you’re comfortable in your current career, anyone new you meet professionally is looking you up and shaping an opinion about you based on what’s online about you.
(And aren’t you doing the same?)
Since you never know when you’ll need your network to help you find a new resource, data point, or job, spend 15-20 minutes now getting your profile in better shape.
At least add a photo, please. You’re cuter than you think.
(Here’s more about why LinkedIn matters.)
Scary Move #5: Waiting to explore what’s next until “the time is right.”
Looking back, the biggest regret I have about making a change in my life at work is that I wasn’t brave enough to do it sooner.
If I’m honest with myself, I knew I needed to take fresh steps, but held on to too many scary thoughts and avoided making a decision.
Truth is, I’d love that time back now. But I won’t get that wish.
Neither will you.
The best time to explore what’s next is now.
If it’s time for more help …
A 30-minute conversation with me can help you get unstuck and move forward, fast. It’s completely confidential, safe, and easy.
Just hit the button below, and pick a date and time that’s available. If, after we talk, it sounds like one of my coaching programs or courses will help you going forward, I’ll share details after our call. There’s no pressure -my goal is to be helpful immediately.
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