A Bit of Career Advice: Don’t Get in Your Own Way

Disclaimer: we all come from different places with varied experiences. Much of what we experience is determined by our level of privilege at birth. Like it or not, you do not always experience obstacles others experience because of your privilege. That said, this article is less about that and more about what you can do now, today, to stop getting in your own way when it comes to that job, that promotion, etc.

I often get questions about “any career advice (I) can give,” from friends, family, and the like. That said, I wanted to share one large piece of career advice someone once gave me that changed my life: “don’t get in your own way.”

It seems so simple, right? Don’t get in your own way. However, day in and day out, I see people getting in their own way. Not applying for that dream job because they don’t meet every single qualification (even though they could realistically do the job, and might just get an interview); not making that career move because it seems intimidating; etc., etc., etc.

Don’t get in your own way— my own example

An example of “don’t get in your own way” that played out in my own life was essentially this:

Andrew and I had the opportunity to move to Philadelphia, PA for a job (which gave him time and funds to move, if we wanted, and I had a job lined up if I wanted it as well), even though every single one of our friends and family members were in our home state of West Virginia.

We loved WV and weren’t eager to leave, like many people are. We had a life there, a foundation of support and friendships and love we’d built over the years that we weren’t completely psyched about leaving. We had career connections there that, albeit not as high-paying, we were passionate about. We weren’t sure what to do.

Moving to Philadelphia was a huge leap of faith. It was about starting completely over for both of us, accepting new jobs we knew hardly anything about (except that they’d be a right step in our career direction for both of us), moving to a large city we’d only been to once, in passing, on a vacation… but guess what? We did it. We didn’t get in our own way. We took the leap of faith; we took what we were offered; and we went for it. We uprooted our lives, and now…?

Now, with both of us having those first big-city job experiences under our belt, we each have jobs we love with companies we are incredibly passionate about. I work for Comcast NBCUniversal as my “day job”, writing for their Xfinity brand and occasionally interviewing celebrities, working on high-dollar media campaigns (which is super exciting!), and beyond. Andrew has given a TEDx Talk with his current company, and his company has paid for us to travel to Dallas, NYC, and beyond on the regular (pre-pandemic).

Me, recently having the opportunity at my job to interview John Cena about his role in the upcoming ‘Fast and Furious’ film, ‘F9’. Without taking those initial “scary” steps (and stopping myself from getting in my own way), I wouldn’t be where I am today and doing what I love to this degree.

We didn’t get there immediately, of course, but without that first move to Philadelphia for those first jobs (and the first teeny-tiny apartment, and those first big, scary life changes) we wouldn’t be where we are today; and where we are today is pretty nice (and it can only go up from here)!

Of course, the leap of faith could’ve gone the other way and it could’ve failed. But that’s the risk you take. Yes, if you apply for that dream job they may reject you. You may fail at something the first time or two, sure. But always try! Apply for that job. Learn that new skill. Stop getting in your own way by letting your fear and anxiety take control.

And, if you do fail? You can always make like Aaliyah, and “dust yourself off, and try again, try again,” every single time.

Xoxo, MM.