3 Pieces of Career Advice That Won’t Serve You in 2020

Your career is a journey that is filled with the unexpected. Like every other aspect of your life, you have to continually work on improving yourself, learning more and exploring new things. As we start the new year, it is important to remember to stop believing the following four pieces of advice, so you don’t stand in your own way!

Change is always possible. Anything is possible. Maybe you doubted this and found yourself thinking or saying that changing careers doesn’t work for everyone. 

I am here to tell you that is not true. Changing careers may not be the best option for folks if they aren’t interested in dealing with a change of circumstances that come with career transitions (like potential salary cuts, relocations or new job titles), but it is ALWAYS a possibility. If you are not happy in your career, you are the only one who can do something about it in the new year. Are you ready to make 2020 an unforgettable year? 

Building relationships is paramount to personal and professional success. If you believe you don’t have time to network, I encourage you to look at your calendar and determine what you are prioritizing in your schedule over networking opportunities. When we want to make time to do something, we do it. It’s really that simple. If you are interested in growing your network in the new year, then you have to make time for it. Get creative, set up time every week to engage in online networking through Fairygodboss groups, LinkedIn groups or Facebook groups, and schedule time to attend monthly events for in-person networking events. 

Who hasn’t said this in their career? It is a lie told over and over again. And, it provides very little solace to anyone who thinks it or says it. If you are doing the work for yourself and others in your organization it is important to pause and ask yourself: “Is this what you really want to do?” Are there times when you have to pick up the slack on the job because of internal changes? Yes. Working 12-hour days on an ongoing basis when you are hired to work 8 hours a day is not only unsustainable, but it will cause you to burn out in the long run. Why do this to yourself? Speak up about what you need. Have a meeting with your supervisor and create a plan to change how work is completed and determine who is doing what. It is not your job to be a savior at work. You don’t need to destroy yourself for the betterment of your company. You deserve more in your career and life! 

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