Last week I asked if you were self-sabotaging your career. This week, I want to quickly review four common ways we get off the career-building track, or worse – never get on.

1. Procrastination and Distraction

Landing an assignment is the first step to building your career, but if you put off going after one, allow distractions to keep you from completing one, or wait so long that you put yourself under a grueling schedule to meet a deadline, your setting yourself up for disaster. Approach new assignments with anticipation of success not fear of failure.

2. Waiting for Perfection

Do you write, rewrite, rewrite again, and then start over because it’s not perfect? You’re not alone. Just about every writer can identify with your feeling of angst. Yet, writing is not a science. There isn’t just one way to get it right. If you strive for perfection, your work will likely remain archived on your computer’s hard drive. If your work is clear, logical, and meets the expectations set out at the onset, it’s time to press “Send” and deliver it.

3. All Talk and No Action

Do you have an action plan for your writing career? It’s one thing to say, “By this time next year, I’m going to be writing regularly for three prominent magazines,” or, “My goal is to be a full time freelance writer in six months.” It’s another thing to achieve those goals. In addition to declaring WHAT you plan to do, you must determine HOW you’re going to do it. Put “action” into your action plan.

4. Not Investing in Yourself

I often talk about self-investment. I suppose because it amazes me that there is a ‘disconnect’ for writers when it comes to improving and honing skills. Every career, every business, grows and improves by pursuing an investment in knowledge and an expansion of skills. Writers are not exempt from this requirement. You need to decide if you want to be an amateur writer or a professional writer.

If you want to be a professional writer, invest in yourself, get on track, and get out of your own way.