“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” — Zig Ziglar
If I could go back in time and talk to my younger engineer self, I’d give him a few nudges—intentional suggestions that would have saved me time, energy, and frustration.
The big idea is this: Technical excellence alone isn’t enough to fuel long-term career growth.
Looking back, there are five mistakes I made early on that I wish I had corrected sooner. My hope is that by sharing them, you can learn from me and reflect on your own path to accelerate your growth.
1. I Overvalued Technical Skills
Early in my career, I thought mastering code, design, analysis, and problem-solving was EVERYTHING.
While those skills are important, I later realized that visibility, influence, relationships, and business impact mattered just as much—if not more. The sooner you broaden your skill set, the faster your opportunities grow.
2. I Avoided Visibility and Networking
I kept my head down, did my work, and hoped it would speak for itself.
The problem? No one promotes you if they don’t see you. Staying hidden meant my impact plateaued. Visibility and networking aren’t vanity—they’re how others recognize your contributions and potential.
3. I Didn’t Ask for Feedback or Promotions Clearly
I assumed that if I was doing well, someone would tell me—or promote me.
That’s not how it works. You need to ask intentionally. And sometimes, I avoided feedback altogether out of fear of hearing something negative. What I didn’t realize is that feedback, even when hard to hear, is the fastest path to growth.
4. I Said Yes to Everything
I wanted to be seen as reliable, so I became a default “yes.”
The downside? I overfilled my schedule, lost track of priorities, and edged closer to burnout. Learning to set boundaries and focus on high-impact work is one of the most valuable skills you can build early.
5. I Waited Too Long to Pivot
I stayed in roles that no longer fit, hoping things would improve.
Instead of advocating for change or seeking new opportunities, I hesitated. The truth is, sometimes you outgrow roles or environments—and that’s okay. The key is to recognize it sooner and take action.
The Good News
Every single one of these mistakes is fixable. Looking back, I know I could have grown faster and led earlier if I had been more intentional from the start.
- So now I’ll turn it to you:
- Which of these mistakes feels most familiar right now?
- And what’s one small change you can make to shift your growth trajectory sooner rather than later?
Let’s talk about it—I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Watch more in the video below:
