Top executives sure have strong opinions on how people sabotage their own careers. Leading the list is not producing results on the job. In a national CEO top executive survey on promotions, career paths and hiring decisions, participants were asked what are "career killers." Here´s a brief recap of what top executives said.

• Burning bridges. Victor Boschini, President of Illinois State University, offered this key insight. "I believe the biggest mistake people make in their careers is to burn bridges ´along the way.´ Each profession may seem big - but I believe as you move up in your career you realize how ´small´ each really is. It makes no sense to right every wrong you felt in a certain organization on the way out. This almost always comes back to haunt you."

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• Not working at a job you´re passionate about. "People float through life as if it were boring, drudgery or a nuisance - often complaining, yet never determining what would fulfill them. Once someone really knows what they want and sets goals, the challenge to achieve ´it´ (life balance, promotion, etc.) are exciting, and much more fulfilling than just whining," noted Lauren Thomas, former nonprofit director of a professional society. Joe Sambataro, CEO, stated that "The worst career mistake people make is that they lack drive, conviction and true passion so they give up too soon." Several CEOs mentioned this, stating you´ll never be happy if you aren´t excited, interested, and enjoying what you do. The vast majority noted that the true key to success is discovering your inner passion and then finding a way to work in that arena.

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• Not having big enough goals. "A key career stopper is setting your goals too low or not being willing to put in the time it takes to reach goals," noted CEO Randy Sheparo. "Believing ´I could never do that´ or, ´They´ll never give me a raise´ means it probably won´t happen." Don''t pay any attention to those well-meaning naysayers who warn you that you can´t do it notes Sunny Kobe Cook, founder of the $300 million national retail chain Sleep Country USA. Whenever she´s asked how she got to be so successful, "I just assumed it was all possible, and that I could do it." Take risks, try new things, initiate and learn and grow from your mistakes, she advises. "Act and you shall achieve" notes a healthcare CEO. "Then, reevaluate and draw up even loftier goals - that´s how you´ll do more than you ever thought possible."

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• Thinking that money is everything. A great salary doesn´t equate to happiness. The CEO of a prominent service company says, "A reality I´ve observed for most people - executive or staff - is that they realize money means very little if you are truly unhappy. Job satisfaction is the number one reason people elect to find a new job. Top executives noted for themselves money was never the motivation that got them up each day to run the company. Making a difference, need to achieve, desire to be the best, were prime motivations.

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• Gossiping and playing office politics. "I hate it when someone sabotages a superior to get ahead - that approach never works for long and really ends careers more than it makes them," one CEO said. "Gossiping is an immediate termination in my company," wrote another CEO, who´s headed several large corporations. So many top executives noted that these two activities will undermine, cripple and even destroy your career. "Some people pick the wrong battles to fight," another executive wisely noted. "When you get enmeshed in gossiping or office politics, you forget about the goals, mission and getting the job done. It´ll lead to a lack of outcomes - a career killer every time."

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• Having a bad attitude. "It kills even the most talented," said one top executive, who has observed many talented people rise and fall. The CEO of a 700-million dollar organization blatantly stated: "You´re going nowhere if your attitude sucks." That´s pretty in-your-face, but it´s true. The CEOs surveyed noted that "Nothing moves you ahead faster than a great attitude." Attitudes are learned, and you can improve yours daily by consciously and actively working on it. Negative attitudes slow you down, but good ones are jet fuel, enhancing all you do.

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Excepted from Robin´s new book: "What to Do with the Rest of your Life"

©Copyright 2002 Robin Ryan