Over my career, I have worked with incredible talent, the kind of people who light a fire in your belly with their ideas, insights, and capabilities. I’ve admired these people, and I have also coached them. What I’ve found fascinating is the level of doubt many of them have had to overcome to achieve success, and what that self-doubt has cost them along the way.
We are often our own biggest roadblocks to career progression. It’s frustrating. We set goals, make plans, and envision success, yet somehow, we stay stuck. How many promotions have you delayed going for? How many roles have you talked yourself out of applying for before even sending in your resume? How many times have you hesitated to voice your ideas in a meeting?
You do this because your brain is wired to keep you ‘safe.’ It doesn’t distinguish between a real threat (like a tiger trying to eat you) and a perceived threat (the possibility of rejection or failure). Your ego doesn’t want to take the chance, so you hold back before you’ve even stepped up to the starting line.
The Subtle Ways We Hold Ourselves Back in Our Careers
Self-sabotage in professional growth doesn’t always look like procrastination or avoidance. It can be more insidious:
- Overthinking: You analyse every possible outcome, questioning every move until the decision feels impossible (a.k.a. analysis paralysis).
- Perfectionism: You tell yourself it’s not ‘ready’ yet, so you delay taking action,whether it’s submitting a project, presenting an idea, or applying for a role.
- People-Pleasing: You prioritise others’ expectations (or what you assume they expect) over what you actually want in your career.
- Imposter Syndrome: You doubt your ability and play small, even when you’re more than capable.
- Excuses Disguised as Logic: “I’ll go for that role when I have more experience/more confidence/more certainty.”
Recognise any of these? I’ve been there, too. When I started my own business, I had every reason to hesitate. But waiting for certainty is a losing game. Career growth happens in the doing, not in the thinking about doing. Preparation and action are key.
How to Get Out of Your Own Way
1. Catch the Pattern
Self-awareness is step one. Notice the moments when you hesitate or justify inaction. Ask yourself: What am I afraid of? Is it failure? Judgment? Discomfort? Identifying the fear makes it easier to work through.
2. Reframe the Story You’re Telling Yourself
Your mindset shapes your actions. Instead of “I’m not ready for that leadership role,” try “I’m learning as I go.” Instead of “What if I fail?” say “What if I succeed?” Challenge the script that keeps you stuck.
3. Act Before You Feel Ready
Confidence isn’t a prerequisite for action,it’s a result of it. The professionals you admire weren’t born fearless. They took calculated risks. Scale back if needed, start small if necessary, but start.
4. Make It Bigger Than You
A strong purpose can overpower fear. Who benefits when you step up? Your team? Your clients? Your future self? When the focus shifts from personal fear to professional impact, courage follows.
5. Stop Chasing Perfection
Perfection is an illusion, and your version of ‘perfect’ will differ from someone else’s. Growth comes from action, reflection, and iteration. If you wait until it’s flawless, you’ll never progress.
What next?
The only difference between professionals who advance and those who stay stuck is action. Not perfect action. Not confident action. Just action. And one of the most powerful career accelerators is having someone in your corner, a mentor, coach, or network of like-minded peers. Seek out support, invest in development, and step into opportunities before you feel ‘ready.’ Your future self will thank you.