How to Defeat the 5 Major Career Killers

There are many factors that influence how you feel about work and career; but there are five major predators that will keep you squandering your time and efforts in a career that doesn't match your talents or desires. Procrastination, perfectionism, burnout, disappointment and failure can be fatal to the career-minded professional who desires the perfect balance of work, family and play. Use the steps in this article to seize the day and overpower these career enemies.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Stress evaluation exercise or profile
• Journal and pen
• Time for introspection

1. Procrastination - When we procrastinate at work, we tend to consistently engage in busy work to avoid the difficult and critical tasks that absolutely must be done. To overcome this career foe, make a list of the times you've postponed a task or two recently. Include things you've put on the back burner. Convert these into action items and tackle them one by one.

2. Perfectionism - While excellent performance is desired, unchecked perfectionism slows down production as you become indecisive or too focused on the trivial instead of the critical. To rout this career predator, stop over-analyzing your career decisions, and purposely do at least one thing imperfect each day.

3. Burnout - When we become mentally or physically exhausted as a result of extreme and prolonged stress, burnout occurs. To crush this career opponent, stop and take stock of your work and personal life; slow down a bit and reduce your commitments; and seek professional assistance or become accountable to someone who is willing to help you recover from it.

4. Disappointment is what we feel when there are setbacks. To eliminate this threat to your career, don't take it personally; cut others some slack and give yourself a break.

5. Failure - Mistakes, omissions, ineffectiveness, non-performance, or just falling short of expectations, hopes and dreams are the symptoms of this potentially crippling career malady. To survive and thrive, learn from your failures, and laugh often even if it hurts at first.

Tips & Warnings

• Although these five career killers have the potential to destroy, they can also be sources of character growth, a positive change in mindset and attitude that promotes balance and development.

• Use the resources below to defeat these five career killers.

• Action-oriented career enthusiasts are more prone to burnout than other workers. Their drive and ambition, if left unchecked, can lead to loss of enthusiasm and motivation for the job, social life, or personal interests.

Resources

• Take Your Career to a New Level
• Learn How to Manage Your Boss