Do you remember your first day at your first job? Do you recollect the excitement, hope and positive aspirations that you entered that office with?
Our working life takes up one-third of our entire life. It demands far more of our time each day than we give to our families or allocate for our own wellbeing. When weekends arrive, we are often tired and need rest but it becomes difficult for us to do so as we have so much accumulated in our personal lives. This is a reality, which is not going to change in the near future.
According to a research by Gartner Inc., less than one-third of the employees report that they are engaged, enthusiastic and energized by their work while the rest two-thirds do not.
Having put my heart, soul, time and many precious years of youth in corporate life, like many of you out there, I want to share mistakes we make as employees, that if we stopped doing, we may be able to strike a better work-life harmony, healthier relationships and a more fulfilling life.
Mistake 1 - Approval Seeking -
We become so needy and demand for approval, appreciation and recognition that we are ready to sacrifice our time, our family, our relationships and even our health for it. Believe me, that monthly award you won, is NOT what decides your next promotion or salary hike.
Mistake 2 - Accepting everything as Company Culture -
According to flair, more than 4 out of 10 workers, summing up to a total of 42% have observed instances of inconsiderate treatment of a co-worker by a manager. You will witness situations that surprise you, that go against your moral values and ethics, and yet will be sold to you as the company culture. Everything is NOT company culture. Know about it, talk to the tenured employees, seek HR guidance if necessary, but do not succumb to intolerable behavior or unjust demands in the name of company culture..
Mistake 3 - Misunderstanding Being a Team Player -
Being a team player is to work with a group of people towards a common agreed goal, supporting one another through the process. It does NOT mean letting go of your individual aspirations, career goals or learning needs.
Mistake 4 - Succumbing to Change as a Bystander -
Change is bound to occur in your career, sometimes minute, sometimes huge. When change arrives, you as a 'good' employee are expected to embrace it, flow with it. It surely is good to do so, but amidst the chaos, huge changes like leadership change, vision realignment, organizational changes, DO NOT lose your identity, your individual career goal and aspiration. Talk to your manager, or leaders, or HR if needed to understand how your career goals fit into the newly changed scenario.
Mistake 5 - Waiting for your work to work for you -
Gone are the days when your work alone could get you accolades, promotions and career expansion opportunities. The times now are about clear communication, about charisma, visibility and dynamism. Evidence suggests that 89% of leaders and managers believe executive presence helps you get ahead, and 78% think a weak presence holds you back. Set up regular connects with your manager for career development discussions. Ask for your eligibility, the skills you should develop and the resources you would require to develop them. It is their prime job to help you grow.
Mistake 6 - Missing networking opportunities -
You may feel like an absolute misfit in many conversations. It is OK. Stick to your niche for initiating conversations and wear the learner's hat for topics where you are not well informed. But do NOT miss attending these networking opportunities within the organization, as small as they may seem to you. They make you visible, and Visibility matters. According to HubSpot, 85% jobs are filled through networking.
Mistake 7 - Limiting Learning Opportunities -
The corporate world is changing. According to a report in Economic Times, over 88% of employees in India expect to continue learning and training throughout their career to stay relevant. You no longer need to limit yourself to your area of expertise. Most organizations allow & encourage employees to explore new learning avenues and implement them, take different roles, innovate and take healthy risks. Use these opportunities to expand your knowledge, widen your horizon of opportunities.
Mistake 8 - Being a Back Bencher -
There will come opportunities in your career, when you can rub shoulders with, and sit right beside or opposite to senior and influential leaders. Do NOT miss those opportunities, demeaning yourself, or your designation. Take that empty chair at that conference table, right up front.
Mistake 9 - Letting work lead your life -
Over time, you will find less and less time, and energy left for personal things like family, health and your passions, and hobbies may seem forgotten. This is completely in your control. Learn to say NO. Make that difficult decision, or as it may seem, to be present for your child’s PTM or to present an analysis on your leadership skills. Ask for adjustments, time changes and meeting reschedules to balance your personal life’s requirements. You will be surprised to know that you actually just had to ask for it. One study from San Francisco State University found that people who are often engaged in a creative activity scored 15-30 percent higher on performance rankings. They were also more likely to come up with creative solutions to on-the-job problems.
Mistake 10 - Considering yourself indispensable -
This is no rocket science. We all know this very well, that the moment we leave the organization, rather from the day we put down our papers, our value limits to a headcount that should be replaced. Yet, we act as if the world revolves around us. As if the organization will crumble down if we took that one day off for our mental wellbeing. Under NO circumstances consider yourself indispensable. Know your worth, the value you bring and be contributing to your best abilities, but do NOT live in the cloud of ‘they cannot work without me’… because THEY CAN, and THEY WILL.
Yes, money, positions, career growth, visibility and recognition may matter to you. Yet when you have to make a choice between any of these and yourself, your mental & physical health, ALWAYS CHOOSE YOU! You only have one YOU.
For guidance on navigating the corporate world, to explore your career growth opportunities, to build and enhance your skills or to simply find answers to your questions. Consider booking a coaching consultation with us.
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