Which career lies do you often tell yourself to feel content with your actions? Read on to discover lies we often tell ourselves that are holding you back and how to tackle them head-on.
Photo credit: wayhomestudio
To borrow from Derek Landy, “The lies we tell other people are nothing compared to the lies we tell ourselves.” Truth be told, everybody lies to themselves at some point or another in their lives. Unfortunately, lying not only damages our relationships but it may also have a negative impact on our professional lives.
Many competent, diligent, and enthusiastic corporate professionals find it challenging to reach their career goals because of self-limiting views. The strong desire to convince ourselves of false assumptions prevents us from realizing our full potential. So, how much are you in your head? What are some of the self-limiting beliefs you've carried along your career path? Which career lies do you often tell yourself to feel content with your actions?
In this article, we'll examine seven career lies we tell ourselves that keep us from living the happy lives we envision for ourselves.
1. If I put in hard work, everything will fall in place
Hard work and outstanding results go hand in hand, but they're not mutually exclusive. A lot of people believe that if they put in the effort, the rest will fall into place. However, despite the importance of hard work and patience, companies only pay for the results you deliver.
Therefore, in addition to your hard work, other ingredients that you should incorporate include;
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Having the ability to articulate your skills and accomplishments
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Building strong, meaningful, and lasting relationships
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Asking the right questions
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Having proactive ways of thinking
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Asking for what you want in your career
Working hard and hoping that others will notice and choose you is a recipe for disappointment and exhaustion. Do your best, but remember that what matters most is what you accomplish.
2. I’m not good enough
This is one of the many career lies that many of us, unfortunately, tell ourselves. Allowing yourself to be paralyzed by the fear of not being good enough only means one thing. You are telling yourself a lie that only serves to reinforce your lack of self-assurance. If you constantly convince yourself that you aren’t good enough, you’ll have no choice but to accept it at face value. It then begs the question, how do you stop it? How can you put an end to this dysfunctional thinking pattern?
For starters, you must realize that it isn't about trying to be good. It all comes down to doing your best and giving it your all. It's impossible to know for sure if you are good enough until you give it a shot, so why not?
The next step is to consistently do it over and over again until you achieve your ultimate goals and become the best version of yourself. Thirdly, you must acknowledge your capabilities. When you tell yourself you're creative, diligent, and unique, you'll start to believe it.
3. I’m stranded in this dead-end job
Are you feeling miserable at your current workplace? Are you scared to quit because you think there are no jobs out there?
Okay, it can be pretty difficult to secure a new job in the current economic climate. Having said that, this does not imply that it is impossible. As bleak as it may seem, there are developing businesses and corporations that are actively searching for new employees.
Nobody is stuck anywhere. People who know how to market themselves will always find a place in a company's ranks. If you are confident that you can be a valuable asset to any company, you will indeed find a job. After all, the only way to land your dream job is to go out and look for one.
4. The pay is too good to leave
As humans, we have a hard time letting go of the things that make us feel comfortable. Unfortunately, it's a career trap that is extremely difficult to break out from. The more comfortable you become financially, the more difficult it becomes to consider a job that pays less but one you would enjoy doing. Tough, huh?
Get your head out of the sand!
Keep in mind that money is but a means to an end and that nothing can ever replace the experiences you'll have. If you waste your time on a profession that you don't enjoy, you won't be able to get it back. Invest in yourself by doing something you genuinely enjoy.
5. I don't have the right experience
So, you've been sifting through job posts, but every time you read the job description, you look for something to strike as a red flag. If this describes you, you are definitely guilty of believing this lie.
Job descriptions are not what most people think. They are simply a company’s wish list. They cover everything a business considers essential in a potential employee. This doesn't imply you should ignore job descriptions altogether; rather, it means you should take a thoughtful approach to them.
Instead of writing yourself off because you lack the required work experience, think about how your abilities and skills complement the requirements of the position you want. It will go a long way in showing recruiters your worth.
6. Requesting assistance is a sign of weakness
If you've ever been afraid to ask for help for fear of appearing weak, you're not alone. A lot of people view this as a sign of helplessness. You might think it makes you seem desperate, inconvenient, or inadequate.
But, the truth is that acknowledging your needs and shortcomings and asking for assistance are all necessary components of being emotionally strong.
Getting help or guidance from career coaches or people who have already attained success in the field you are interested in can help you quickly cover knowledge gaps. As a result, obstacles that may ordinarily prevent you from advancing in your career are less likely to stand in your way.
7. I'll eventually get a promotion
As earlier mentioned in this article, companies pay for results. It may sound off-putting, but nobody really cares how long or how hard you've worked for a company. The only way to advance in your career is to demonstrate your value regularly.
Conclusion
To be successful in our professional lives, we all strive to be the best we can be in whichever field we choose. Too many of us tell ourselves career lies because we're afraid to accept that things aren't going exactly as planned. But if we are able to see through these deceptions, we can move forward in life with a renewed sense of hope and optimism. You have complete control over your thoughts. Just be sure to always turn on the truth meter in your train of thought.
