For me, career growth didn’t show up with one big sign. I grew up while trying and failing, messing up, and little by little realizing what actually worked. For a while, I thought hard work was the full answer. But it’s the tiny, almost invisible choices that quietly shaped my path. So here are 10 career moves I wish I’d made sooner.
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Accepting lateral roles with better managers
I spent many years shunning lateral moves in my career because I was so programmed to look up, always up. But moving laterally is often an upgrade in teammates, learning, and less stress overall. A good manager will teach you more than any fancy title ever will, and I learned much too late that who you report to matters far more than what is on your job description.
Saving the wins you might forget later
I used to believe that “the results would speak for themselves.” Wrong again! I have learned that promotions, raises, and even job security all go to those who toot their own horns and keep score. Believe me when I say you will forget most of those anyway, and your memory will let you down when it really counts, like during your performance review or in the middle of a layoff.
Taking a demotion just to break into a better industry
I spent so much time and energy looking for the perfect opportunities in my career, when a lower title in the right industry would have been more than sufficient. Pride was my biggest hurdle, as I could not bring myself to explain to every inquiring friend and family member why I was settling for this “lesser” title. Once I got over that, my career advanced at a much quicker pace than I had seen in years.
Saying “no” without explaining myself
I always thought I had to apologize or make excuses every time I drew a line with a coworker. And I spent way too much time giving excuses just so I didn’t disappoint anyone. The thing was it only provided others with more reasons to argue with me. Learning how to say, “I’m not able to do that right now,” and then leaving was so freeing.
Asking coworkers how they got where they are
I always stayed in my lane, worked really hard, and never asked too many questions or got too curious. I ended up missing out on shortcuts other people took. One honest conversation over coffee taught me so many things I had been doing wrong in my career. People will always share things if you simply ask. I just wish I knew this years ago.
Being honest about what I actually wanted
I always acted like I would love to stay at that job forever. I had dreams and ambitions, but I didn’t share them with anyone. I wanted someone to rescue me from that job, but the truth is if you don’t tell people what you want, no one is going to rescue you. The moment I started being honest about what I really wanted people helped me more than I would have ever imagined.
Volunteering to lead projects before I felt ready
I kept waiting to feel “ready” before raising my hand. But looking back, no one really is. The ones who moved up weren’t always the smartest. Just the ones who weren’t afraid to try. I wish I’d taken the leap sooner.
Keeping a personal network outside of work
I never realized how much of my social life was work-based. That seemed smart at the time. But the moment I stepped away from the job, I was suddenly on my own. I should’ve been more intentional about building friendships outside that bubble. Those are the ones that stay.
Not trying to “fix” broken workplaces
I often stayed too long in jobs, thinking I could make things better. I tried to do the impossible: stay positive in an environment that didn’t want to be fixed. I should have left sooner, and saved myself more time and energy in the process.
Choosing workplaces based on culture, not perks
At one point in my career I chased the shiny stuff: the big name, the free lunches, the ‘vibe.’ However, when I felt ignored in meetings or overlooked in decision-making processes, that ‘cool office vibe’ did not help me in any way. I learned that the real benefit is a team that listens and cares. Everything else is just decoration.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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