Link: Mistakes that can kill your career
File this under common sense. This could also be called: how to be professional. This article is a bit light on the details, but it’s accurate in a general sense. The two points that people should look as real personal drivers are #7 and 8.
7. Fearing Risk or Failure
If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. Have a can-do attitude and take risks. Instead of saying, “I’ve never done that,” say, “I’ll learn how.” Don’t be afraid to fail or make mistakes. If you do mess up, admit it and move on. Above all, find the learning opportunities in every situation. Remember, over time, risk-aversion can be more hazardous to your career than error.
8. Having No Goals
Failure doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal, but in not having a goal to reach. Set objectives and plan your daily activities around achieving them. Eighty percent of your effectiveness comes from 20 percent of your activities. Manage your priorities and focus on those tasks that support your goals.
I note these two in particular because to many people they aren’t intuitive. Fear of failure is a very conservative and often negative approach to working. In many startups, fear of failure dooms you to mediocrity and ensures your part of the work will not be great. Mediocre ideas are often not polarizing either. For many startups, you will find that the idea is either a fantastic idea or the stupidest thing you’ve ever heard. The polarization is what many people want. Having a conservative opinion leaves you with the choice between Kerry and Bush.
Having goals is a bit selfish, but if you’re competing in the Valley (which you are sure to be), you will be the only one who can really look out for your own ambitions. You really need to believe in your work to enjoy it, and if you have clear goals, this comes much easier.