6 Common Career Regrets to Avoid

6 Common Career Regrets to AvoidWe all have regrets in life. Regret after eating those tacos at 1130 last night. Regret over notlage asking that perfect person on a date back in college. Your career isnt immune to that saatkorn level of what if?, but by identifying some common areas of potential regret, you might be able to change your professional destiny a bit. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) 1. Playing it too safeDid you avoid asking for a promotion because your manager might say no? Have you waited for colleagues to speak up with their ideas because you werent koranvers how yours would be received? Being bold and taking a risk (or a stand) once in a while can lead you to workplace opportunities you might never have noticed otherwise.2. Staying for the moneyA large salary can be hard thing to walk away frombut if you think about your current career path and the biggest (or only) positive is your paycheck, you might want to reconsider. Without the fulfillment of a job that challenges you and makes you greet projects with enthusiasm, your 20-years-from-now self will likelybe stressed and unhappy.3. Staying for the friendsAs with the money, if your awesome colleagues are the only reason youre excited to head into the office in the morning, you might want to rethink your job. Sure, the friendly chats, goofy emails, and bonding over office absurdities can get you through the day, but dont let that cover up your relationship with your job.If youre not satisfied with your day-to-day workload or the way youre managed, friends may not make up for that in the long term. And what happens when your buddies move on to other jobs and opportunities, leaving you behind at a job you dont especially like?4. bedrngnis making an effort with your coworkersOn the flip side, weve all seen coworkers who have zero interest in being one of the gang. If youre that coworker (you know, the one who wears headphones 24/7 or awkwardly avoids s mall talk at the espresso machine), you might want to reach out a little more and get to know your colleagues.You dont have to go to every happy hour, or like everything they post on Facebook. But you spend many hours a week with these people. You all share a common goal (workplace success), and knowing peoples personalities and strengths can help make your own work more effective. Besides, a little bonding can help you get through those tough projects and long days together.5. Not maintaining your networkRemember whatsherface, whose cubicle was across from yours six years ago? Well, now she works for your dream company, and she could totally get you a foot in the doorif only you had maintained a relationship.Once you start at a new job, out of sight, out of mind can be tempting as you meet new colleagues and learn a new workplace culture. However, keeping in touch with your former colleagues and mentors can help you build a large and fruitful network as you move through your career . You never know when youll be perfect for an opening at your old bosss new company but youll definitely never know if you havent bothered to email him since your last day together in the office.6. Neglecting work-life balanceIf you go to a colleagues retirement party and ask them to reflect on their long career, you know what youre not going to hear? I wish Id worked more 14-hour days. Whether that means leaving the office on time, not answering emails after 9 p.m., or just making sure you take a lunch break, its important to maintain boundaries.Working (or thinking about working) all the time can lead to stress and burnout. Making sure youre able to devote time to your family (or to your longtime hobby of knitting sweaters for cats) can help you get the balance you need to be productive and satisfied throughout your career.