You could be self-sabotaging without even realizing it.

Whether you’ve just started a new job or have been working a particular job for years, you may find yourself in a rut at some point. Now, it’s more than possible that the cause of this rut is coming from an outside source; maybe your job has a bad culture, maybe your coworkers are messing with you, maybe your boss is inattentive. All valid possibilities, but there’s one potential cause that you should consider before all else: yourself. Whether you realize it or not, you behaviors and attitude could be what’s standing between you and career advancement.

Ask yourself this: how seriously do you take your work? I’m not saying you need to give 120% of every hour of the day, but you do need to try. If all you do is the absolute bare minimum, it reflects in your performance. Your boss and coworkers aren’t going to ask you for help if they know that you won’t occasionally go above and beyond your station.

Another question: what’s your general attitude toward your work? Do you show up on time? Do you audibly complain about it a lot? Do you get into disagreements frequently? If you answer yes to these questions, then congratulations, you’ve become “that guy.” You know the one, every office has one. The one no one wants to work with or talk to because their every word and action is a non-stop barrage of negativity. Don’t be “that guy.” If you don’t like your job, don’t just sit there and whine, do something about it.

You need to take initiative if you want your work to improve. When new assignments go up, raise your hand, even if it’s not necessarily something in your wheelhouse. If you think you deserve a raise or a promotion, don’t be afraid to discuss it with your boss. If you’ve proven yourself to be a team player and need a little extra cheddar in your cheese, a simple discussion on the matter is more than fair. The worst thing they can say is no.