5 Career Risks You Should Never Ever Take

By Lilian Wamaitha
Congratulations on getting that job. You love what you do and are convinced that you are on the right track. But that doesn’t mean that you have already made it.
To continue to progress in your career you need to keep pushing yourself out of the comfort zone otherwise you will find yourself at a dead end career that offers no growth or excitement whatsoever.
Risks are an important part of your career. It’s the only way you get to realize your full potential. After all you can only win big if you play big.
But taking risks doesn’t mean being careless. It doesn’t mean being stupid and throwing everything you have worked so hard for in an instant.
That being the case, here are career risks that you should never take.
1. Quitting your job just because you had a bad week
Who said that your job will be exciting every day? Who said that you will always agree with your boss? Who told you that you will always hit targets and deadlines in time?
Life is not perfect and your job isn’t either.
Instead of quitting, determine why you are feeling unhappy. If it’s a salary increase you were expecting but hasn’t come, don’t quit. Instead work out ways on how you can make extra income come next month.
If you haven’t seen eye to eye with your boss on a certain project, work out ways to make him or her see things from your own perspective.
But quitting is never a solution. These challenges will always be there no matter where you work. The grass is not always greener on the other side.
2. Doing something you believe is unethical or illegal
In a country where corruption scandals seem never to end, you should really think twice about what you are taking part in at work.
If your boss or someone senior asks you to do something that you believe is illegal or unethical, you have a right to step back and tell them no.
Always trust your instincts. The worse they can do is fire you but let them do so knowing very well that you stood by the right thing.
3. Taking a pay cut when you are struggling to make ends meet
As I grow in my career, I want my salary to grow with me and I know you do too.
But there are instances that force you to take a lower paying job. Maybe you’ve reached a point where you career is no longer exciting and want to pursue something else or have to move back home to take care of an ailing spouse, parent or child. These are incidences that cannot be avoided.
But taking a lower paying job just because you have been looking for a job for so long is no excuse.
Before you agree to take that pay cut, ensure that you financial situation is not in rumbles. Make sure that you can actually live by what you will be earning otherwise; just stick to your job.
4. Overstepping boundaries at work
Every company has its own hierarchy with unwritten rules.
You know who you report to on certain matters and where you draw the line.
When you disregard the proper chain of command, this will only cause tensions and may even lead you to lose that job.
Obey authority no matter how unpleased you are with the idea of reporting to so and so. Don’t go over your supervisor no matter how terrible they are.
If there are any issues, resolve them in the right way with human resources, otherwise it will just be seen as disrespect of authority.
5. Fearing the unknown
You saw this coming, didn’t you? One of the greatest career risks you can ever take is not taking risks at all.
Some of us are in our current situations because we are afraid to take risks.
You don’t want to quit that soul draining job because you have no idea how long it will take to get a new one. You don’t want to start a business of your own because you are not sure if you will succeed or fail.
Stop fearing the unknown. Step out of your comfort zone and go for what you want.
Like I said, it is only in taking risks that you get to discover your potential and what you are good at.
Quickly See This >>> How I Became A CEO At 29
In the end, you can only discover who you really are if you take risks. But taking risks like I mentioned earlier is not about being careless. It’s not about doing things without thinking of their implications.
Your turn
Are you feeling confused? Not really sure whether you are in the right career? Has your career hit a dead end and are looking to re-invent yourself? Click here to book a session with a professional career coach today.
The writer is a Communication Officer at Corporate Staffing Services. For enquiries and advice, send an email to lilian@corporatestaffing.co.ke.