5 obstacles hindering professional development

Work that doesn't align with your expectations and skills

We are all different, with diverse requirements, skills, and talents. That is why it is so important to know yourself, your needs, your strengths, and your weaknesses. When we do work that doesn't bring us joy, improve our skills, or allow us to develop our innate talents, we burn out faster and fall into frustration more often. Can you imagine someone working as a flight attendant who hates traveling, dislikes working with people, and has absolutely no aptitude for languages? Neither can we. Unfortunately, we often fall into the trap of habit and routine when it comes to our careers, which is why it is worth verifying your competencies first. The Gallup test can be helpful in discovering your talents, specifically the CliftonStrengths assessment, which identifies your dominant talents from a list of 34 possibilities. The top ten that emerge from your results will give you a hint as to which career path to choose and which jobs you should steer clear of.

Lack of planning

Professional development, much like getting in shape, requires a plan. First, a plan for yourself and a vision of where you want to be in one, five, or ten years. Second, a solid plan for your annual, monthly, and even weekly work responsibilities. When you plan your actions, it is easier to estimate how long tasks will take. Effective time management and project planning are the best things you can do for yourself: you gain a sense of control over relentless deadlines and, above all, a sense of agency—both at work and beyond. So, plan ahead, write down your to-do lists, group them into categories, and distribute tasks across the days of the week or times of day. You won't feel like time is slipping through your fingers or, worse, that a project is overwhelming you.

Lack of defined goals

Goals drive each of us to take action. Just listen to athletes, who likely understand better than anyone how important a vision of the goal is, alongside competition. Professional goals are just as important as personal ones—and it’s not about making work your entire life. It’s about finding as much satisfaction as possible in what you do and how you do it; achieving your goals will bring immense gratification and boost your self-esteem. By setting goals for yourself, you avoid standing still for years and instead gain a real chance for professional growth. The end of the year is a good time to ask yourself what you have achieved so far and what you still need to do in the near and distant future to reach your dream finish line.

Fear of the new

What is new is usually unknown, which triggers fear, avoidance, and a tendency to procrastinate. It is not always easy to change your habits, location, or the nature of your work, even when you feel deep down that your current situation is doing you more harm than good, rather than enriching you with new knowledge or professional challenges. Unfortunately, by allowing yourself to "nurture" this fear, stagnate, and hold back your own aspirations, you close yourself off to what is new—and likely much better for you. Remember, there is no progress without change! And fear usually passes quickly once we get used to a new situation.    

An employer who forgets about employee needs

Can an employer hinder our professional development? Unfortunately, yes. Professional development and work efficiency are heavily influenced by whether we have the opportunity to participate in intellectually stimulating courses and develop outside of work by focusing on our own interests. Career development experts agree that access to employee benefits impacts the ability to self-actualize. In the Pracuj.pl report, Benefits – what motivates employees?*, we read that 70% of respondents value training, 62% appreciate access to medical care, and access to a sports card just missed the podium, coming in fourth place. We want to feel appreciated and have the opportunity for self-fulfillment, while also being aware that our health, access to training, and language classes significantly influence how we perceive our workplace. A wide range of benefits and a friendly work environment where we feel valued mean that work is no longer just a source of income, but an inspiring space for growth that brings us satisfaction and fulfillment.

Bibliography

*Study Benefits through the eyes of employees conducted among Pracuj.pl users by Pracuj.pl, N= 2319, December 2017.