The 10 Deadly Sins of Career Development

1. Phobia – Whether it is fear of failure or fear of success, this psychological obstacle is the number one reason clients do not reach their goals. FEAR is really an illusion that stands for False, Evidence Appearing Real.

We choose safety over self-actualization because we fear the unknown and the ambiguity of the future. Fear is a test of commitment and a way to focus your attention on answering the question: “Is this what I really want?” When you risk, you loosen your hold on what you're certain of and you reach for something which you're not sure of, but you believe is better than what you have. Facing our fears means we step outside our comfort zone and grow the most professionally.

Conquering your fear means training yourself to be emotionally fit. Fear is merely a state of mind when thoughts run wild. If you control your thoughts, you can control your destiny. Acknowledge the fear, then confront it by erasing the tape of negative self-talk with positive thoughts then only obsess about those positive thoughts. Avoid all self-doubting thoughts which turn into self-doubting language and then self-sabotage. Often we are the ones holding us back. Find a way to get out of the way such as saying positive affirmations that motivate you. Without fear, there is no courage.

2. Pessimism – Attitude determines altitude. Where you go in life is really up to you. A poor attitude creates excuses and rationalizations that don’t serve you. Call a friend to be your career cheerleader if you need some positive attitude readjustment. Hope is critical for accomplishing your objectives. Don’t believe the negative lies you keep telling yourself. Kill all the negative automatic negative thoughts that clutter your mind. Replace them with the ideal outcome.

3. No Passion – You can’t enjoy your career if you don’t feel enthusiastic about it. Be clear as to what you want. Unclear goals only yield unclear results. If you obsess about success you will bring about success. You will overcome fear when you fixate on what you feel the most passionate about. Your vision is the promise of the career you truly want.

4. Poor Self-Esteem – Lack of confidence and faith are deal breakers. Don’t beat yourself up. Reach out to others to avoid the downward spiral of isolationism and depression. Speak with a therapist that you want on your dream team.

5. Poor Planning – Failure to plan is really planning to fail. Prior planning prevents piss-poor performance. Make sure your objectives are specific, measureable, action-oriented, realistic and time sensitive. Stick to a realistic plan that helps you avoid distractions. Disorganization can hider your search. Plan your work, and then work your plan.

Read the other 5 sins today at http://blog.timesunion.com/careers

Thanks,
Dr. Tom

www.CareersInTransitionLLC.com
careersintransition@yahoo.com
(518) 366-8451