The Five Most Common Career Mistakes

Author Daniel have identified the five most common reasons for regret in your career. Read what mistakes to avoid in your own career.

There are many major decisions to be taken in connection with study options and career choices. Some mistakes will usually regret, but one can also steer away from the most common mistakes by learning from what others have done wrong earlier.

Daniel Gulati is a successful entrepreneur and author of the book "Passion & Purpose: Stories from the Best and Brightest Young Business Leaders." In collaboration with Harvard Business Review, he sat down with working professionals between 28 and 58, and asked what they regretted most of their career choices.

The group was diverse and representative: He spoke among others with a 39 year old CEO of a major investment bank, a self-employed photographer without much success, an entrepreneur who had managed to become a multi-millionaire, and a CEO from the famous Fortune 500 list .

There were five dominant themes which shone through with them all. And more importantly, the effect of bad career decisions and unfulfilled expectations about their careers felt equally by all age groups.

1. I wish I had not taken the job just for the money.

By far the biggest source of regret came from those who had chosen high paying, but unsatisfactory careers. Previous research also shows that good salary is no lasting motivator in his career. What was surprising was the feeling of helplessness these people faced.

A banker explained: "I dream about quitting every day, but I have too many financial obligations."

2. I wish I had stopped earlier.

Consistently, wanted those who had quit their jobs to pursue your passion, that they had done it earlier. Uncertainty in the labor market, and the desire for a stable income are two of the reasons why 80% of those who are dissatisfied with their jobs did not stop when they know they should.

A sales consultant in the group stated: "Those years could be used to work with something that actually mattered to me. These years will I never return"

3. I wish I had the courage to start my own business.

As the increase in wages stagnated, said professionals surveyed said they began to yearn for more control over their lives. The logical answer? To be their own boss, instead of being employed in others company.

A recent study showed that 70% of employees wished their current employer would help them to start their own business in the future, but only 15% said they had faith that they actually had what it takes to venture out on their own .

Even Fortune 500 CEO dreamed of freedom as their own boss: "My biggest regret is that I am a entrepreneur. I've never managed to take the plunge and start something from scratch."

4. I ​​wish I had spent my time at school more productively.

Despite high student, it turns out that about 86% is higher education a good investment. Although several higher education than in the past, wanted many of the participants surveyed said they had used their school years to aim for a truly rewarding first job after graduation.

A biologist told about her college experience: "I had the ridiculous rush to complete what in retrospect proved to be the best and most unstructured years of my life."

Having started a family and acquired mortgages, there were many who wanted but could not find room to go back to school to improve career opportunities.

5. I wish I had listened more to your gut.

Several people told of lost career opportunities, and many lost "now-or-never moment." Newer theories in psychology emphasizes the importance of identifying these sometimes unpredictable but potentially rewarding opportunities for change and jump on these opportunities to non-linear advance in their career.

Gulati surmises that instead of suppressing them, should feelings one has about repentance in their careers hold a privileged place in the emotional repertoire. Research shows that anger can be a powerful catalyst for change, and largely offset the short-term emotional lows.

As the famous psychologist Dr. Neal Roese recently stated:

On average, the remorse a useful sense. It may also be an inspirational experience. But that means we must articulate and celebrate our disappointments, and understand that it is our ability to experience remorse, and learn from it, which ultimately will shape our future success.