4 Reasons You Aren#8217;t Advancing Professionally

4 Reasons You Aren8217t Advancing Professionally There are costs and risks to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction, John F. Kennedy Allow me to preface this article by saying that when I talk about advancing professionally, Im not referring exclusively to getting a promotion or starting your own company.Climbing the corporate ladder is, of course, a form of professional advancement, but there are other forms as well. Growth can mean mastering (and applying) new skills, introducing new systems that benefit the company, increasing your contribution to the bottom line, and so much more.If you feel that youve stopped growing (or never started), then you might fall into one or more of these categories.You do the bare minimumYou know your job description by heart and will not lift a finger beyond what you were hired to do. Perhaps you see it as unnecessary to go above and beyond, perhaps you dont know you should, or perhaps youre just inspired in your current role. Whatever the reason, this approach will jeopardize your learning and prevent your from establishing yourself as the go-getter/leader type. The result? Youll stay exactly where you are professionally.Youre surrounded by mediocrityQuotes and studies abound about how we are who we surround ourselves with. This is true on both personal and professional levels. If youre part of a company or department or gruppe that is characterized by mediocrity, not by excellence, then it will be all too easy to fall into a complacent mindset, keeping you exactly where you are.Youre afraid of failureMany people who dream of starting their own business dont because theyre afraid of failure, and many people who dream of advancing professionally dont for the exact same reason. You might be afraid to ask for more responsibilities, afraid to shake things up, or afraid of stepping on someone elses toes. Forgive me for this, but lets take a moment and step back into high school lit. In the wise words of William Shakespeare, Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose to the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt. Unless youre in an environment that will unjustly punish you for trying and failing, push past your doubts and attempt new things.You Wont Switch Jobs, Even When Its TimeThere usually comes a time when changing jobs is necessary to advance your career. As with any major life decision, it can be intimidating. First you have to get a job you want, then you have to leave behind your colleagues, job security, and day-to-day comfort to which youve grown accustomed. At your new job, you start all over again, trusting from your interviews that youll enjoy the work, get along with your new coworkers, and be moving up in the professional world. Even with all of this in mind, there comes a time when its necessary to push beyond your resistance to change.Th e stimmung of this story? If youre uninspired, surrounded by mediocrity, in a job that punishes you for trying, or have maxed out your potential in your current position, then its time to search for a new job.