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There are many things that make or break a career! Become aware of these pitfalls today to avoid jeopardising your own career.

1) Getting too comfortable

When did you last challenge yourself or learn a new skill at work? If you can’t remember, you’d better change things up because if mistakes can kill a career in an instant, then complacency is one that kills it slowly and silently. While it’s safe to only deal with what you know, your career goal should not be standard textbook answers. Your career goal should be to grow, and this will require you to get out of your comfort zone.

2) Over-promising and under-delivering

The opposite of getting too comfortable is over-promising and under-delivering. While it’s great to have lofty goals, people expect you to deliver exactly what you tell them and nothing less. In truth, the issue lies not in failing, but in losing trust as this can be difficult to win back. Be honest about your abilities. Only then can you push yourself beyond your limit.

3) Resisting change

Resisting change is one of the quickest ways to make yourself obsolete because whether you like it or not, there is no guarantee that what worked yesterday will work tomorrow. So instead of resisting change, embrace it. Instead of saying “that’s how it’s always been done,” ask, “how might we do it better today?”

4) Playing politics

Every workplace has some level of gossip, backstabbing and internal conflict, and it’s no doubt important to be aware of it. However, stay right out of it. Aside from risking being caught red-handed, it’ll only distract you from what’s really important – the work. Think long-term and conduct yourself in a way that you’ll be proud to talk about in your next interview.

5) Choosing the wrong career

According to the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore has some of the longest working hours in the world clocking in an average of 2389.4 hours in 2014! That’s a long time to spend at work, so finding the right career is critical. While it’s fine to seek career advice, working in a field that doesn’t resonate with you just because others told you to do it, will only create inner conflict and block your true potential. It’s your career and your life, so you owe it to yourself to take the responsibility for it. Want to take your career to the next level in 2017? Check out Develop a Fulfilling Career by NTUC LearningHuband start making it happen! *This article was first published at NTUC Plus!

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