3 Ways Waiting Costs You

Would you like to know the single biggest mistake I made in my career?
 
I waited.
 
Waited for the right opportunity to speak-up in meetings.  Waited for my boss to notice my work.  Waited for my organization to invest in developing me.
 
Can you relate to the wait?  We all do it, but do you need to?
 
Here are 3 things that may keep you stuck waiting:

• Optimism bias is encoded in the human operating system, it’s the reason you get back up when you fall down (metaphorically speaking), AND it is also the reason you may be waiting for the perfect moment (it’s coming, you can feel it…).  So, how long have you been waiting for that “perfect” moment?
• A prevalent mindset often taught in childhood is; if you are good at something other people will notice, and unless others notice, you must not be good enough, so keep working hard!  This is the birthplace of “I’m not enough” thinking, and is complete BS, but when you’re a child you don’t question it, and then with time it just becomes a part of how you operate as an adult.
• My employer will invest in me.  This one comes in 2 belief tracks; the first is your employer knows more than you do about your gifts and will “direct” you where you need to go by sourcing/offering appropriate development.  The second is it’s your employer’s responsibility to pay for your professional development.  Both are career-killers.

 
So, what's the opposite of waiting?
 
It’s the brave career.  
 
The reality is, opportunities go to those who don’t have “wait” as a default setting; professionals who are brave, who use waiting strategically and make the right moves, for the right reasons at the right time in the right ways.  
 
These professionals enjoy their dream careers because they know three vital things:

• There is never a “perfect” time to do anything.  You do need to be strategic in your timing, but waiting until all the stars align is the path to… well, waiting.  Being objective about what you want, and how best to get it, empowers courage and re-routes your optimism bias from “I’ll wait” to “I can do this!”
• You are enough just the way you are.  There will always be signals from others that you can interpret as flaw and lack, but leaving it entirely up to those around you to recognize your amazing skill and potential is putting too much pressure, and power, in the hands of others.  Dream careers are forged through the ability to accept failure as part of learning and the persistence to be noticed for the right reasons, which includes advocating for yourself and your career desires.  
• Your organization is the last place to seek guidance on your career.  Yes, there are people there who can help shape your thinking (your manager, HR, a mentor), but they are consultants on this journey, you are the one accountable for deciding what you want to do with your one precious and remarkable life. You let your organization know what you need for development AND if they are not in a position to support it, invest in yourself.  You will never regret it.

 
I have my dream career today, I make a meaningful and positive difference in other people’s lives every single day, but what if I hadn’t waited?  What if I had invested in myself sooner?   How many more people could I have helped then?
 
Honestly, sometimes that keeps me up at night.
​
Learn from my biggest career mistake, don’t wait; the time is now to be brave with your career and make the investments you need to bring all your amazing gifts into the world.  
 
That’s the dream, right?
 
You deserve your dream career.​

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