Reasons You Hold Back in Your Career

The fear of seeming incompetent runs deep for software engineers—I’ve been there, even after landing roles at Google and Uber. Here’s how this fear shows up and how to stop it from holding you back. • Not asking questions Fear of looking uninformed makes you avoid asking questions. This blocks learning and leads to costly assumptions. ✅ Shift: Approach questions as a way to add value, not expose gaps. • Never saying no Trying to handle everything yourself without pushing back spreads you too thin and leads to burnout. ✅ Shift: Define your boundaries. Learn to say no constructively by explaining the impact on your other responsibilities. This is a respected skill, not a weakness. • Avoiding asking for help Thinking you should solve everything alone? You’ll end up wasting time on things others can support you with. ✅ Shift: Asking for help is a strength. It saves time, increases collaboration, and helps  you bond with your colleagues. • Over-preparing When you feel the need to be 100% sure before starting something, it slows you down and keeps you from learning on the job. ✅ Shift: Start before you feel ready. You don’t need to know everything to get moving; learning as you go is part of the process. • Doing it all yourself Thinking you have to be the one who knows and does everything keeps you from delegating or collaborating. ✅ Shift: Lean on others’ expertise when it makes sense. This not only makes projects stronger but also shows you trust and respect your teammates. Each of these shifts can help break the habit of prioritizing appearances over actual growth, which is important no matter your seniority level. Which one resonates with you the most? What else would you add? ♻️ Please repost if you found this useful ✍🏻 If you enjoyed this post, you'll find even more value in my weekly newsletter https://lnkd.in/grt-bbZn

A lot of mid-career professionals are quietly carrying beliefs that are actually holding them back. Not because they’re lazy or unambitious, but because they’ve been fed the same “career truths” for years without stopping to question them. Here’s what I’m not buying: 1. That you have to take a pay cut to make a career change Plenty of people pivot without losing income. The right positioning matters more than the industry jump. 2. That Sunday Scaries are just part of adulthood Constant dread is a signal something’s misaligned, not a normal life tax. 3. That “dream jobs” exist in some magical, flawless form No role is perfect. The goal is finding one that’s deeply aligned with your strengths and values. 4. That grad school (especially MBAs) is the default fix when you feel stuck Expensive degrees will not solve unclear direction or lack of strategy. 5. That self-advocacy is selfish Speaking up is how you create opportunities. Silence rarely gets rewarded. 6. That hard work alone gets you promoted Visibility, relationships, and timing often matter more than output. 7. That AI is coming for your career It is a tool, not a replacement. The winners learn to leverage it. 8. That more money will automatically make you happier Past a certain point, fulfillment and growth drive satisfaction more than your paycheck. Some of these ideas were built for a workplace that does not exist anymore. Others sound nice in theory but do not hold up in reality. And if you have been chasing them, no wonder you feel burned out or like you are doing everything right but not seeing results. Career growth today is not about working harder or collecting more degrees. It is about questioning the script you have been given and choosing strategies that actually work for you. Which of these do you agree with, disagree with, or want to add to? Let’s talk about it in the comments. #careercoach #careerchange #jobsearchtips #midcareer #professionaldevelopment

SAP Consultants, let’s talk about what’s REALLY holding you back You're not lazy.   You're not incapable.   And you're definitely not alone. I’ve met countless brilliant SAP professionals who get stuck - not because they lack skill, ambition, or ideas - but because they're trapped by three silent chains: - Perfectionism: "This SAP presentation must be flawless." - Procrastination: "I'll start preparing after this project finishes…or maybe tomorrow - Overthinking: "What if my idea isn’t good enough?" Sound familiar? Here’s the harsh truth I learned after years in the SAP industry: These fears don't protect you.   They delay your greatness. Your best work doesn’t come from endless planning - it emerges from taking action. - Launch messy. Your first SAP solution won’t be perfect - launch it anyway. - Speak imperfectly. Share your ideas in meetings even when unsure - they matter. - Act before you're fully ready. Take on the challenging project, start the certification, push the boundaries. Because your career breakthrough won’t happen when everything feels “right.”   It happens when you decide to embrace discomfort and act anyway. You don’t need more time - you need less fear. Let’s stop holding back and start stepping forward.   The SAP world needs your voice, your ideas, your courage. Are you ready to break free and show your true potential? Follow Alok Kumar for more content like this!