Beware self sabotage

There are many ways we sabotage ourselves without realising it. Here are some of the ways we shoot ourselves in the foot.

LACK OF SELF AWARENESS: When you are not self aware you are unable to play to your strengths, make up for your weak areas or show your best side. Worse, you might be oblivious to the negative impact you may be having on other people. Self awareness enables you to head in the right direction and to avoid making the same mistakes. People who know who they are, are better able to manage interactions and professional relationships more effectively.

NOT KEEPING SKILLS CURENT: When was the last time you read a book, a professional magazine?. What new knowledge have you gathered since your school days? Self learning is a quick, smart way to grow; don’t leave your personal and professional development to your employer. Be prepared to fund training you know will help you. To advance yourself don’t only depend only on the learning that happens ‘organically’. Read good material, shadow someone with the skills you need, volunteer to work on a project that will give you new experiences; that’s fast track learning at minimum cost.

IGNORING MENTORING MOMENTS: Everybody regardless of their status can learn something new. When you are not open to being mentored, you lose a first rate opportunity to develop some practical skills. Learn from whoever and wherever you can. Mentoring doesn’t have to be over a period. It can take a moment. For example observing how that person makes a presentation fun, the way a colleague turns a potentially volatile situation around; joining the team of that high achiever to stretch yourself are all mentoring moments that will teach you a lot. Look out for such opportunities.

UNDERESTIMATING YOURSELF: Why do people do this? lack of confidence, low self esteem? Perhaps. There’s always more that you can do or become. Don’t take yourself for granted. Time to upgrade! List a few areas where you have been truly successful in the past; retrace your steps and identify how you can apply what worked in the past. Do you still have the ‘knack’? you probably do. Let that give you confidence. Where your success is concerned, jump in with both feet. If you put a small value on yourself, no-one else is unlikely to lift you higher.

STAYING TOO LONG IN THE COMFORT ZONE: It’s nice to be doing something you love, are good at and comfortable with. But riding this wave too long could stall your career. If you are good at something, take it to the next level; for example by pulling together a ‘how to’, checklist, a short course on how to do that activity and teach it to others; that way you move from ‘doer’ to a teacher or coach. Choose to swim in bigger waters even if you have to swim against the tide occasionally!

Now take action: Reflect and write down 3 things you are really good at.