Negative beliefs and assumptions are some of the most career destroying elements there are. No matter how smart you work and how skilled you are, if you believe things that keep you in a negative mindset you will stall. Here are some common mindsets and how to overcome them.

I am underpaid: In my experience, most people feel they deserve more pay than their organisations are paying them. And that may be true but what you need to consider is that organisations tend to pay for skills and where they situate the job in the organisational hierarchy while individuals tend to expect a salary that takes care of all their financial needs. If you feel you are being underpaid and you can negotiate do so. If you can’t live with it then don’t hang in there, nag and become a nuisance.

I am a nobody: Being ‘somebody’ should be about how you value yourself rather than any power conferred on you. But you can choose a different perspective on power as a choice, as influence and the power you need to concern yourself with is the power you have to seek and negotiate what you need do an amazing job and; to be involved in decisions that affect you. Don’t waste time on complaining about the ‘power’ you don’t have, use what you have or can earn to make your work experience better.

I can’t be myself at work: Different personality types no doubt may feel more comfortable in certain work environments but in terms of being yourself your primary consideration should be about being ‘professional, Quit complaining about what you don’t like about your workplace and focus on what’s good about where you are

Management doesn’t care: Maybe this may be true in your organisation and if it is you must think about what you want or can do about it.

Don’t conduct yourself inappropriately based on your false assumptions or someone else’s experience. Make your own mind about things.