Do you feel overworked, underappreciated and unrewarded at work?  It’s a common scenario that I call the limbo zone – a state of high stress and low influence that lies between achieving professional momentum and burning out. So why do so many professionals, especially women, get ensnared in the limbo zone between stress and success? It boils down to three deeply ingrained assumptions, which drive your behaviour at work. Do you believe any of them?

• Success is directly proportional to competence.
• Perfection is the only acceptable standard.
• To reach your goals, you must always be in control.

These myths, instilled since childhood, can become professional roadblocks. If you believe them, they’ll keep you in a frustrating state of dissatisfaction. But here’s the empowering truth – it doesn’t have to be this way! Escaping the limbo zone between stress and success is easy once you change your perspective.

Expand your perceptual horizons

Instead of focusing solely on competence, explore your potential. Ditch the pursuit of perfection and start celebrating the momentum you’ve already achieved.  Then build on it. And rather than clinging to control, strive to build your influence. That is what will truly move you forward professionally. This paradigm shift can accelerate your career, enhance your credibility, increase your professional impact and turbo charge your confidence. To start putting it in place today, try these three simple tips for building momentum.

Adopt a growth mindset

Embrace continuous learning: understand that competence is not a fixed state but a journey of continuous improvement. Take advantage of learning opportunities, seek feedback and accept that everyone, at every level, has something new to learn.

Aim for progress, not perfection

Accept imperfection: perfection is an unrealistic standard that hampers progress. Instead, aim for progress and celebrate your growing momentum. Learn to live with ambiguity: it’s as simple as admitting, “I don’t know.” By doing so, you open yourself up to new ideas, collaboration and growth.

By changing your mindset and embracing these simple tips, you can break free from the limbo land between stress and success.  So take a deep breath, let go of those limiting beliefs and notice how easy it is to build professional momentum when you use the tips from positive psychology.

This article was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer and success coach. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference.  Since discovering her passion for training and development, Eleanor has trained more than 60,000 people. She delivers face-to-face workshops for corporates, online masterclasses for leaders and Positive Psychology retreats for trainers, HR practitioners and leaders.