Spring is finally here and this time of year, lots of folks feel an urge to declutter, clear and organize what’s not working in their lives. We think of it as a household chore, but the same idea can apply to your professional world, too. These are the top things to ditch to spring clean your career.
- Advice from someone who hasn’t achieved the results you want - Lots of people may try to “help you” but if they haven’t been there and done that, their “advice” isn’t really useful. Look for guidance from folks who have done what you want to do in your career.
- Irrelevant experience - Career experience that doesn’t have anything to do with what you want to do now is just cluttering your resume. Streamline it to tell your career story by including only what aligns with your goals.
- The need to be perfect - If you’re waiting for circumstances to be perfect before you take action, you’re just procrastinating because “perfect” doesn’t exist. Instead, aim for progress, not perfection.
- Saying yes to everything - Sure, it makes you seem accommodating, but it also takes up a lot of your precious time. Always saying yes keeps you busy, but setting boundaries lets you be productive.
- Outdated expectations - Still hanging on to career plans you made long ago or the expectations that an old boss or parent put on you? It’s never too late to reassess and drop those so you can focus on what you want.
- The negative stories you tell yourself - Negative self-talk, like “I’m not good enough to …” repeats in your head and can keep you from learning and growing. So try to use a little compassion with yourself and treat yourself as kindly as you would a close friend.
- Fear - It’s a powerful emotion and while you may think that fear is protecting you from danger, it could be keeping you from taking action. The biggest barrier to success isn’t a lack of talent, it’s fear. And letting go of those fears can help clear the clutter and make way for professional growth.
Source: Forbes