Today, Mary Lee Gannon is the CEO of a large $ 24 million corporation. And yesterday, she was an ordinary employee and working mom, who combined work and career with the upbringing of four children under the age of seven. Not an easy task, is it?
Mary admits that for many years spinning like a squirrel in a wheel, torn between work and family. She could not break the vicious circle and escape from the captivity of failures, a boring routine. The woman did not see any bright prospects until she realized the causes of her problems. It turns out that wrong thinking was to blame.
Now she helps leaders and entrepreneurs to properly build their career paths and avoid the annoying mistakes that she once made. Here are three main misconceptions regarding career paths and solutions.
Misconception 1: Hard Work is the Way to Success
When things are not going well, people are stressed and think that if they try their best, everything will get better. After all, this strategy helped them get to the top where they are now. Thus, they begin to work for wear and tear: they stay late in the office, apply for more positions, expand their circle of acquaintances, get a degree, read a lot of literature on self-development, attend various trainings and seminars.
People think that everything will improve because of their dedication and their complete dedication. What is really going on? There is disappointment from unfulfilled expectations, stress. A person becomes exhausted and exhausted both morally and physically. He holds on to what he has, instead of taking risks.
What to do
If you see that you are at an impasse, take a timeout and release the situation. Stop making so much effort. Remember Newton’s law: “Strength is equal to counteraction”? It’s the same with a career. You need to realize that the data you are using is not effective. Think of creative ways to solve a problem. Instead of running somewhere, slow down. Instead of an active player, become a curious observer.
Misconception 2: Perfectionism
Many people, especially those who want to succeed in their careers, believe that they can achieve their goal only if they do everything perfectly. Studying at school is “excellent”, a university with honors, awards, experience, letters of recommendation, etc. - all this is nothing more than your personal collection of achievements. Yes, you can be proud of yourself, but none of these components will allow you to succeed.
Why? Because the employer is not looking for an employee with an impeccable reputation, but a person who will contribute to the development of the corporation. And for this it is necessary first of all to have the so-called “soft” skills: to be able to communicate, work in a team, make a good impression, adapt to new circumstances, navigate in extreme conditions, etc. This is what you need to pay attention to.
What to do
First of all, evaluate how you are suitable for the desired position. If you need the appropriate education in order to become one step higher, go and get a diploma. Do not collect certificates and certificates just like that. Any of your skills should be targeted.
Secondly, you need to stop demanding that you be perfect in everything. There is no perfection in anything - and this must be recognized.Instead of being obsessed with a perfectionist, become a pleasant conversationalist, a good assistant, a diligent employee. Do not forget to develop organizational and leadership skills if you want to advance on the career ladder.
Misconception 3: Not Good enough for a Role
We are so close to our habits, so mired in a routine that we ourselves did not notice how we became people with stereotypical thinking. When we hear people say about us: “Yes, he will not be able to be a leader, he is too emotional, he will not succeed in taking a team to a new level”, etc., we begin to believe even more that we really are not holding out. We do not understand why we are not progressing, although we seem to want and try this. As a result, we become restless, anxious, scared and afraid to take initiative in our own hands and take risks. We lose confidence in ourselves - and this is the saddest thing.
What to do
Mary admits that she herself was in a similar situation. Do you know how she managed to solve the problem? She simply stopped playing the role of the victim and blamed all the responsibility for what was happening on other people, on bad circumstances, etc. When she realized that fate and a career were in her hands, then progress began.
You need a follower of Mary's example to reach career heights. Forget the words "I can’t, I won’t succeed", etc. Try, make efforts, do not be afraid to take risks - and everything will surely work out.