The Career Misstep: What I Wish I Knew Before Saying Yes

We all have that one career story. You know the one, the job you took even though you knew it wasn’t right. Maybe it looked good on paper. Maybe someone said, “You’d be crazy to turn it down.” Maybe you just needed something now and figured you'd figure it out later.

Been there. Done that. Regretted it.

One BIG career mistake I wish I could undo? Taking a job I knew deep down wasn’t the right fit for me. I didn’t take it because it aligned with my goals or brought me joy. I took it because it was offered. Period.

Let’s call it what it was: lazy career planning.

From day one, something felt off. The work didn’t light me up. I didn’t feel like I belonged. I was dragging myself out of bed and watching the clock by 10 a.m.

But I stayed.

Too long.

And while I stayed, I:

• Lost faith in my abilities

• Made decisions I wasn’t proud of

• Stopped asking for help

• Didn’t surround myself with people who cared

• Let resentment build up like a slow leak in a tire

The result? I hated going to work. Every. Single. Day.

And you know what? That wasn’t the job’s fault. It wasn’t my boss or the company or the commute.

It was me.

I didn’t stop to ask what would make me happy. I didn’t think about what I needed to thrive. I had choices, and I chose poorly.

Luckily for me, someone else made the decision I was too afraid to make. They let me go.

I smiled the whole way home.

That’s when it hit me: now was my chance to make the right choice for me. This time, I needed to be intentional. I needed to Be Career Courageous.

That turning point started a journey of career planning that led me to where I am today: a career coach helping others avoid the same missteps I made.

Common Career Mistakes You Might Be Making (And How to Bounce Back)

If you’re feeling stuck in your job, you’re not alone. Whether you’re early in your career or well into it, the path is rarely linear. But the detours and faceplants? Those are usually packed with wisdom, if you’re willing to dig in.

Here are some of the most common career mistakes I see, plus how to bounce back from them:

1. Letting Others Make Your Career Decisions Whether it’s a parent, a partner, or a well-meaning friend, too many of us follow advice instead of our gut. If your career path looks more like a checklist someone else made for you, it’s time to take back the wheel.

Career tip: Ask yourself, "What do I want my day-to-day life to look like?" The answer might surprise you, and that’s a good thing.

2. Failing to Clarify Your Priorities If you don’t know where you’re going, any job can feel like a good one. That’s a fast way to end up in something that looks shiny but feels empty.

Career tip: Define your non-negotiables: flexibility? Meaningful work? A team that values innovation? Start there.

3. Not Asking Enough Questions So many career missteps happen because we didn’t ask the right questions, about company culture, job expectations, or even our own values.

Career tip: Curiosity isn’t just for interviews. Ask questions before you accept a job, and keep asking them once you're in the role.

4. Not Asking for Help You don’t have to do this alone. Seriously. Let others shine in their strengths so you can focus on yours. That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom.

5. Underestimating the Number of Opportunities Out There Feeling stuck in your job can trick you into thinking it’s the only option. It’s not. Opportunities are everywhere, especially when you get clear on what you bring to the table.

So, What Can You Do Next?

Start by finding your strengths. Understanding what you naturally do best is the fastest way to build a career you don’t want to escape from.

When I finally got honest about what lights me up (coaching, connecting, solving problems), everything started to click.

If you're wondering how to find your strengths and use them, I've built a simple process to help. It’s part of what I teach in my career coaching programs, and trust me, it's a game changer.

Final Thoughts

Making a career misstep doesn’t mean you’re lost.

It means you’re learning.

The trick is not to camp out in the mistake. Learn the lesson, pack it in your toolkit, and use it to climb higher next time.

And if you’re ready to stop guessing and start figuring out what actually fits? I’ve got just the thing.

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