We’ve all done things during our career that we may have done differently given more time, wisdom, or options. Here are some mistakes I’ve learned not to make and others my clients and network have shared with me, too.

1. Saying YES to a job offer when you should’ve said NO. Now, before you stop reading – hear me out. Job offers are great! They make you feel good, it’s fun to tell your friends and family, and let’s be real, landing the gig feeds directly into our innate desire to be accepted. But, not every offer deserves a yes. Sometimes, you know in your gut you should say no, but you ignore it. Why? Because like most, you do what you must do to pay the bills. According to a recent Gallup poll, as of 2017 there are 71% of full-time state and local government American workers who are unhappy or disengaged with their jobs. You are not alone. I know, you may not have time to wait on your desired position, so here’s my suggestion: try to get a job that helps you develop the skills (leadership, conflict management, etc.) you’ll need for the position you desire. You don’t always need the title to develop your skills. The goal is to ensure you are ready when the right opportunity comes along.
2. Staying too long. Toxic work environments, no growth opportunities, unable to handle the pressure, bad management, etc. There are tons of reasons you should leave, but you convince yourself somehow that your health, time, and mental well-being is secondary to your paycheck. My advice: Money is eternal, life is limited. Choose you.
3. Accepting a promotion too soon. Yes, you read that correctly. There is more you should do before blurting out “YES” the moment you’re offered a promotion. Do yourself a favor and take some time to think about what that promotion means for your life. You may have professional development goals, life goals, or family obligations, that would be affected by a promotion. The last thing you want to do is take a promotion you end up regretting because you’re overwhelmed or frustrated with your decision. Ask your boss to allow you time to think it over. It’s better for you and your employer that you fully understand what accepting the offer means, how your performance will be measured, and how the role impacts your desired career path.
4. Getting comfortable. Never lose sight of the importance of continuing to learn and develop your skills. It is important to master the tasks for your position; however, it is crucial for your career that you continue to evolve and develop yourself professionally. You don’t want to become so consumed with routine that you miss out on innovative opportunities. Don’t follow the trends. Create them.
5. Undervaluing your worth. If you don’t ask for your worth, how can you expect your boss to appreciate how valuable you are? I’ve had tons of clients who were frustrated because they were working alongside people getting paid more than they were even though they were both doing the same work. My advice: Don’t get mad, get understanding. Stack your deck with an abundance of reasons and examples of why you are worth what you’re asking for. It’s better to ask for what you want now than avoid asking and regret it later. Sometimes the only difference between your paycheck and theirs is the fact that they asked for more and you didn’t.

Career mistakes are bound to happen. Take time to think things through, trust your gut, and when in doubt, never underrate the value of you!