Don’t hold back your success

Notwithstanding impediments, complexities and peripheral tensions related to workplace, quite a few amongst us are blameworthy of holding back our career success, whether knowingly or otherwise.  The major causative factors for our career collapse are our mislaid mind-set and imprudent conduct.

Some widespread gaffes that are known to wreck havoc with anybody’s career are:

·   Not keeping your word: If you want your reliability to be undamaged, you should always strive to keep your word. You should never make false promises or tall claims. People should regard you as a personification of dependability.

·   Absence of people skills: In any sphere of activity, people skills contribute greatly to success. In case you are affable, your bosses, associates, subordinates and clients will hold you in high regard. Your amiable approach makes you a victor halfway through; but if you are a difficult person to get along with, people will keep you out of their loop.

·   Lack of answerability: Answerability and truthfulness are siblings; these qualities are sought after in any organization. You should ensure that you are not labeled as a person who seeks only acclaim and passes the buck in case of a failure.  Acknowledging your mistakes is a sure method to boost your image and sensibleness.  

·   Not being a team-player: You should display a high degree of cooperation, fit well in a team and make useful contributions. If you are unable to look beyond your selfish self, you will be shunned. As a team player, you should be patient yet assertive and be appreciative of others. Courtesy and respect for others point of view will always stand you in good stead.

·   Failure to withstand stress: There is no job that does not pose strain; it is expected that you handle it pragmatically. You should know what stress is all about. It is quite possible that it is a result of other gaffes done by you or on account of your incapacity to work under given situations.

·   Tendency to individualize:  While ability to function in a team is a prerequisite, any effort to run a race alone will lead to separation. You should remember that selling yourself and sustaining effectual bonds are prime contributors to success. Therefore, you should always direct your efforts to make known your individual accomplishments to your immediate boss so that your career progress is facilitated.  

·   Failure to improve personal skills: You could feel fairly comfortable in whatever position you may be, but that may cause stagnation. You may become dejected and eventually lose your peace of mind. You should set objectives and decide on timeframes for their attainment so that you improve yourself on a continual basis. 

·   Lack of requisite dynamism: Smugness will lead you nowhere. If you have to be successful, then it is essential to be upbeat enough. It is you and you alone who are responsible for your individual progress; and to be able to achieve it, you need to continually acquire newer qualifications. An easy going approach vis-à-vis others who take their responsibilities seriously can seriously jeopardize your future prospects.

·   Inability to manage time: Any person will lose his trustworthiness and esteem if he is not punctual or is unable to meet assigned deadlines. In addition, displaying scant regard to standard or agreed timetables also contributes to diminishing reliability. You should endeavour to appreciate and attach importance to each passing second, minute and hour.

·   Absence of professionalism: It is highly unprofessional of any employee to waste his or her time at work or remain engaged in personal occupation there. You simply cannot display blatant impertinence to your organization’s assets either. Gossip-mongering, scandal-mongering and rumour-mongering are pursuits that do not go with professionalism.

 You should always keep in mind that it is not what you achieve, but what you overcome that defines your career. If you take steps to guard against the above gaffes, your career will be smooth sailing. Remain committed and keep it going!