George Stern’s Post

13 mistakes that will hurt your career, And how to fix them fast: 1. Blind Loyalty ↳Staying in a job because it's easy or you're loyal, even if they might not be loyal in return ↳Fix: Regularly assess whether your company values you and your role challenges you; if not, explore other options 2. Self-Doubt ↳Imposter syndrome can keep you from opportunities you're qualified for ↳Fix: Keep a success journal, challenge self-doubt with evidence, and remember that growth requires learning 3. Invisible Effort ↳Working hard isn't enough - you need visibility and strategic relationships too ↳Fix: Speak up in meetings, document and update your manager on accomplishments, and build relationships 4. Outdated Skills ↳If you stop learning, you become less valuable in the job market over time ↳Fix: Take online courses, earn certifications, and follow industry trends to stay competitive 5. No Network ↳Career growth often depends as much or more on who you know than what you know ↳Fix: Set a goal to reach out to two new contacts per month and reconnect with former colleagues 6. Avoiding Feedback ↳Feedback can be scary, but without it, you won't know what's holding you back ↳Fix: Schedule regular check-ins with your manager and ask, "What's one thing I could improve?" 7. No Negotiation ↳If you never negotiate, you're leaving money, promotions, or opportunities on the table ↳Fix: Practice negotiation conversations, and learn to ask for what you want in a professional way 8. Risk Avoidance ↳Growth comes from challenges - staying safe can limit your potential ↳Fix: Take on stretch projects and volunteer for cross-function work with new people 9. Burned Bridges ↳How you leave a company matters - future opportunities can depend on your reputation ↳Fix: Maintain professionalism in all exits, no matter the circumstances, and apologize when necessary 10. Weak Branding ↳Your reputation online and offline shapes how people perceive your expertise ↳Fix: Build your personal brand, posting insights here on LinkedIn and contributing to industry discussions 11. Health Sacrifice ↳Burnout and poor health will set you back more than taking care of yourself ↳Fix: Prioritize sleep, exercise, and stress management, and remember that rest makes you MORE productive not less 12. Lack of Goals ↳Without direction, you risk wasting years in roles that don't serve you ↳Fix: Define short-term and long-term goals, then reverse-engineer a plan to achieve them 13. No Backup ↳Leaving on impulse can leave you financially and professionally vulnerable ↳Fix: Before quitting, secure another job, ensure financial stability, or have a well-thought-out strategy There will be enough obstacles in your way throughout your career - You should never be one of them. Use this sheet to avoid undermining yourself, And to thrive professionally. Any mistakes you'd add? --- ♻️ Repost to help others avoid these. And follow me George Stern for more content like this.