9 career mistakes to avoid in 2017

If you want to get ahead in 2017, you must avoid mistakes like being afraid of change, writing poor emails, or only caring about money, according to CEOs and self-made millionaires.

1. Fear of change

On CNBC, career guidance expert Jenny Blake said that when people are dominated by fear and conventional thinking, they will never progress. This is the biggest mistake that will cause your career to "stall".

2. Focusing too much on finding your “passion”

People sometimes get too obsessed with finding their calling in life. Blake suggests we take that burden off ourselves: "The pressure to find a purpose often causes unnecessary stress."

3. Poor email writing skills

This is a skill that is crucial to your career and should be practiced regularly. Employees who are good at writing emails are always in demand, said Julie Sweet, CEO of the North American region of the services company Accenture.

4. Only care about money

Whether you’re negotiating benefits or asking for a raise, don’t just ask for money, advises strategist Keld Jensen. Instead, mention other issues like flexible working hours or extended vacation time. Your request will be more likely to be accepted.

5. Letting others control you

Carla Harris - Vice President of Morgan Stanley is one of the most powerful women on Wall Street. She was once doubted by those around her about her abilities, advised not to apply to Harvard and not to join the financial industry. However, she was determined to go against the grain and succeed. "Focus on your goals and don't let others control you," Harris said.

6. Tormenting yourself for making mistakes

Comedian Jay Leno says every mistake in your career is a valuable lesson. Entrepreneurs like Richard Branson agree that mistakes are great opportunities for learning.

7. Letting personal life affect work

Brian Wong, the 25-year-old CEO of Kiip, believes that many people don't realize how important this is. No matter how much trouble you have in your personal life, leave it at home. "Whether your boyfriend dumped you, your best friend betrayed you, or your credit card was stolen, just show up at work and act like nothing happened," he says.

8. Lying on your resume

It sounds simple, but many people still make this mistake. According to experts, a few exaggerated details about work experience can have big consequences later.

9. Thinking that you have lost your chance to succeed

Not everyone succeeds at a young age. In fact, it takes a lifetime of hard work. If you think your chances of success are behind you, think again. Lloyd Blankfein, CEO of Goldman Sachs, says many people believe, "If you never dropped out of school to start a business, you're too late to do something great." He believes that age doesn't matter if you're willing to work hard.

According to VNE