Today, everyone is looking for the secret to business success. Professionals read books, take training classes, ask questions, study others that are successful and strive to outperform themselves.
However, some behavior patterns can develop into bad habits and cause even the most seasoned and professional person to self-destruct.
Let's take a look at some common behaviors that can put your career on the "skids". As you read these 9 behaviors you may recognize some areas you will want to change to keep your career on track.
The following are ten danger signs that can trap you and may "zap" your career.
1. Over Confidence: While you need a healthy dose of self-confidence to carry you through those tough times you also need to keep your confidence and ego in balance.
Keeping your ego in check will prevent you from thinking you are more important than those around you and missing out on their good ideas and solutions.
2. Time abuse: You only have 24 hours a day. Use each one of them wisely.
Guard against intruders such as non-important phone calls, emails and messages that do not specifically relate to your job.
Also make sure you save some time for personal development and pleasures.
3. Procrastination: Write the words "Do It Now" on a 3X5 card and post it where you can see it often. Then follow the advice.
Make that appointment now, make that phone call now, reply to that email now, see your customer now.
4. Failing to communicate: The most effective professionals spend 80% of their time listening and only 20% of their time talking.
They then spend 80% of their talking time asking questions. How does your communication ratio stack up to this standard?
5. Short-Sightedness: Approach your problems and decisions with a long-term view in mind.
Ask how what you do today will affect the organization 2 years, 5 years and 10 years from now.
While this does not mean every decision you make will have that kind of impact far in the future, however it is a good way to verify your thinking.
6. Loose lips: While at one time they may have been responsible for sinking ships, today loose lips most likely will sink your career.
Be care of what you put in emails and what you say to others. Many a person has regretted making a casual comment concerning their job or company.
7. Not keeping good records: Are you using a good contact management tool? If not consider starting today.
A contact management tool will keep important information about peers, customers, and clients in one easy to access place.
8. Stunted growth: Never quit learning. Become a better person and reach higher levels of success by continuing to feed your mind.
9. Not Delegating: some of your workload: Today almost everyone is doing the job that just a few years ago was done by as many as two people or more.
If you don't delegate a portion of your work to others that are capable of doing the job, you can become overloaded and perhaps all of your other work will suffer.
Take a look at your current workload, what can you pass on to someone else. Remember that delegating is not "work dumping" but transferring responsibility along with the authority and responsibility to get the task done.
Don't forget to give credit to the person you delegated the job
Never believe you are a complete final product. Keep improving your skills and knowledge. Be responsible for your future.
Take a listening course; listen to books on CD while traveling or in your leisure time. Pick up a book and read it, associate with other successful people.
For more information on how to provide training for your employees on how to be more effective and prevent these and other career "zappers" please contact John at www.TrainingConnections.ORG for information on "Leading to Results" training.
=================================
John Robertson is a Professional Trainer with over 20 years experience in Mid to Sr. Level Management in several Fortune 500 companies. His real world experience will bring credibility to your meetings. TrainingConnections.ORG focuses on three major categories of Employee Performance Improvement; Leadership, Management and Sales Training. Contact us today for more information or check our web site: http://www.TrainingConnections.ORG
============= ====================
Too often in life, we fail. We fail not because... Read More
Dear Job-Seeker:Just as Goldilocks was suspicious of the big bad... Read More
A certain amount of oversight is involved in almost any... Read More
Mystery shoppers. For some it conjures up images of private... Read More
Is your résumé getting lost in a flood of résumés?... Read More
Imagine receiving a letter from a salesman who wants to... Read More
Here are some of the questions we have been asked... Read More
Finding freelance writing jobs require great skill, dedication and lots... Read More
An industrious black-tailed ground squirrel has his home beneath a... Read More
Current trends in business are conspiring to create a revolution... Read More
What do many employees wish for at work? A bonus... Read More
Qualifications" or "Personal Profile") uses bullets and succinct wording to... Read More
Today everyone is looking for that special job that will... Read More
Chances are if you're reading this you've thought about becoming... Read More
Buying a suit can be an important investment when you... Read More
At some point in every professional or managerial career, there... Read More
Another morning of job hunting lies ahead of you. You... Read More
(Percussion sounds emanating from who knows where while you listen... Read More
Does it seem that with every passing year it's getting... Read More
It Is Up To YouSo, you want to get promoted.... Read More
It's a fact: the best jobs attract loads of competition.... Read More
There is more attitude around than the 'traditional 'positive /... Read More
As much as you are yearning for career-change, and as... Read More
As they always say "It's not what you know, it's... Read More
1. Assess ? Evaluate your skills, interests and abilities. Understand... Read More
Is there a company in your area that you'd love... Read More
For many people, interviewing is not a natural act any... Read More
Taking a job out of fear and desperation will never... Read More
How can you manage your emotions during your career change... Read More
Finally! Your youngest is in school and you are ready... Read More
Landing a telecommute position isn't easy. Finding them in the... Read More
Just like the late, great Rodney Dangerfield, the "humble" cover... Read More
When you're looking to get hired or get promoted, what... Read More
I agree with Brooker T. Washington, "Few things help an... Read More
If you haven't looked for a job recently, there are... Read More
Q. Right after I accepted my new position, the manager... Read More
Figure out what you want to do.You can't write an... Read More
Whether you have a business idea or not, here's what... Read More
How many people do you know who think they deserve... Read More
Searching for a job can be a daunting and confusing... Read More
The Question: After identifying a potential employer, I get contact... Read More
As an executive recruiter, I interview a lot of people.... Read More
Are you a new graduate with little or no work... Read More
Today everyone is looking for that special job that will... Read More
Your resume needs to outline your skills and experience, as... Read More
Telecommuting Interview Tips- By Nell TaliercioYou've made it! Your cover... Read More
When I was a child, there was a pool nearby... Read More
Finding freelance writing jobs require great skill, dedication and lots... Read More
If you were thinking of offering your employees special rewards... Read More
It's never too early to update your resume, even if... Read More
Many people can easily write a resume in just a... Read More
No matter how much time and energy you invest in... Read More
Going through the motions of a bad interview is like... Read More
Are you being paid what you are worth? Has anybody... Read More
With the opening of a new venture and numerous reporters... Read More
An interview is much like a blind date. You have... Read More
Travel nursing is becoming one of our nation's fastest growing... Read More
Your career, like any journey, has a beginning, an end... Read More
If you're looking for a way to earn a living... Read More
Which of the following would you chose? Doing your lifework... Read More
What are the worst mistakes job hunters make? It turns... Read More
That "B" word---B O R E D O M.How did... Read More
Most people spend approximately 25% to over 67% of their... Read More
Looking for a new job?I'm about to reveal one of... Read More
For nine years Jeff worked for company G as an... Read More
For the person crafting their first résumé the task can... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |