At 22, 23, and 24, I made mistakes that almost destroyed my career—late coming, no discipline, ignoring seniors, no future planning. I was warned many times and finally got fired. Here is my real story and how you can avoid these mistakes.
The Biggest Mistakes I Made in My Early Career (And How You Can Avoid Them)
By H. Suresh — Founder, Grow With Career
Your early career can build your future—or break it.
Mine almost broke.
Today, I’m 42 years old.
I’m the L&D Head of a well-known organization and the founder of GrowWithCareer.com.
But when I started my career at 21–22, I was nowhere near “successful”.
In fact, I made some of the worst mistakes any young professional can make.
This is not a motivational story.
This is a warning.
A real-life mirror for every student, fresher, or working professional who is entering the corporate world.
Let me tell you exactly what happened…
And how you can avoid what I went through.
🌱 My Early Career: The Phase Where I Had No Idea What I Was Doing
When I got my first corporate job, I thought:
- “Life is set now.”
- “Job mil gaya — ab sab easy hai.”
- “I can relax.”
But life doesn’t reward those who relax too early.
It rewards discipline, responsibility, and consistency — all of which I lacked.
Here are the biggest mistakes I made.
❌ Mistake #1 — I Did NOT Listen to My Seniors (Biggest Blunder)
In my early company, seniors used to guide me:
- “Come on time.”
- “Be disciplined.”
- “Complete your tasks properly.”
- “Improve your communication.”
- “Think about your future.”
But I ignored everything.
I used to think:
“Why should I listen? I know what I’m doing.”
Truth:
I didn’t know anything.
Seniors were not trying to control me —
They were trying to save me from the exact mistakes they had made.
Today, as an L&D Head, I see the same attitude in many freshers.
It scares me — because I know how dangerous this mindset is.
❌ Mistake #2 — I Was ALWAYS Late to Office
Every day, I was late.
Not 1 day.
Not 2 days.
Almost every day.
I had no sense of responsibility.
No urgency.
No seriousness toward my job.
Now, with experience, I know this:
Late coming shows lack of discipline. Discipline shows professionalism.
When you are late every day, companies don’t see your effort, only your attitude.
❌ Mistake #3 — I Had ZERO Discipline
I didn’t follow:
- Deadlines
- Rules
- Office timings
- Work procedures
I thought:
“Chalta hai… koi dikkat nahi hogi.”
But discipline is the foundation of a successful career.
Without discipline, skill has no value.
❌ Mistake #4 — I Never Thought About My Future
I was living day-to-day.
- No career plan
- No goals
- No skill-building
- No self-improvement
I wasted months and years without direction.
This is why I tell freshers in our
Career Growth Roadmap Guide:
“If you don’t plan your career, your career will plan your failure.”
❌ Mistake #5 — I Ignored Multiple WARNINGS from the Company
My manager gave me warnings:
- First verbal warning
- Second warning
- Third warning
They said:
- “Please be on time.”
- “Please be serious.”
- “Please improve your discipline.”
But I didn’t improve.
I didn’t listen.
I didn’t care.
And then…
⚠️ The Day That Changed Everything — I Got FIRED
Yes.
I got fired.
One afternoon, HR called me.
“Today is your last day.”
I still remember how my heart dropped.
I felt ashamed. Embarrassed. Broken.
I couldn’t go home and tell my parents.
I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror.
It was the lowest point of my career.
I thought my life was over.
💔 After Getting Fired — My Corporate Life Ended for 2 Years
No big company was ready to hire me.
My track record was bad.
So I worked in a small company for almost 2 years:
- Small salary
- Long working hours
- No recognition
But those years taught me more than any corporate job could.
I learned:
- Respect
- Punctuality
- Hard work
- Discipline
- Humility
The small company became my training ground.
It rebuilt me.
🔥 The Turning Point — I Decided to Change My Entire Life
One day, I decided:
“I cannot continue like this. I must change my life.”
I changed EVERYTHING:
✔ My mindset
✔ My habits
✔ My attitude
✔ My discipline
✔ My work style
✔ My communication
I started learning skills consistently.
(Just like we teach in Top Skills to Learn in 2025)
I improved my resume using
Simple Resume Format for Freshers
I prepared for interviews using
Self-Introduction Formula
I worked harder than ever before.
Slowly…
Surely…
Consistently…
I became a different person.
💼 Returning to Corporate Life — The Real Victory
After 2 long years, I finally got a chance to return to corporate life.
And this time:
- I never came late
- I respected every senior
- I focused on discipline
- I improved my communication
- I thought long-term
- I took my job seriously
That disciplined version of me grew faster than I ever imagined.
Within years, I moved up roles…
Until finally, I became the Learning & Development Head.
The same boy who once got fired for irresponsibility
became the man who trains thousands of employees on discipline and growth.
Life truly changes when YOU change.
📘 5 Mini Stories: Small Incidents, Big Lessons
Story 1 — The Tea Boy Who Became My First Mentor
In my small-company job, a tea boy once said:
“Anna, neenga daily correct time-la varinga. Naa unga maadhiri varanum-nu yosikaren.”
(“Sir, you come on time every day. I want to become disciplined like you.”)
A tea boy’s respect made me realize the power of consistency.
Story 2 — The Day I Started Reading 10 Minutes Daily
Just 10 minutes of reading per day
turned into a lifelong habit of learning — something I teach freshers today.
Story 3 — The Senior Who Trusted Me With a Small Task
One senior told me:
“If you complete this task well, I’ll give you a bigger responsibility.”
That day I learned:
Small tasks build bigger careers.
Story 4 — The First Person Who Said ‘I Believe in You’
A manager once said:
“You will grow far — just don’t lose your discipline.”
That sentence became my fuel.
Story 5 — The Day I Bought My Hyundai i20
That day, I stood outside the showroom with tears.
I remembered:
- All the warnings
- All the regrets
- All the failures
- All the late comings
- All the disrespect
- All the nights I doubted myself
And I whispered:
“I am proud of you, Suresh.”
📊 Comparison Table: BEFORE vs AFTER My Career Transformation
| Before (Age 22–25) | After (Age 26+) |
|---|---|
| Always late | Always early |
| No discipline | Highly disciplined |
| Ignored seniors | Respected guidance |
| No future thinking | Clear career vision |
| No seriousness | Professional attitude |
| Got fired | Became L&D Head |
| No direction | Founder of GrowWithCareer |
🎯 Actionable Lessons for Every Fresher & Young Professional
1. Don’t ignore your seniors
They know what you don’t.
2. Never come late to office
Punctuality builds reputation.
3. Discipline beats talent
Every. Single. Time.
4. Invest in yourself
Learn skills every day.
Start with → Top Skills for Freshers in 2025
5. Take warnings seriously
A warning ignored becomes a regret.
6. Don’t wait for life to teach you the hard way
Learn early.
✔ Checklist: Are You Making the Same Mistakes?
- Coming late to office?
- Not listening to seniors?
- No skill-building?
- No future plan?
- Not taking job seriously?
- Ignoring feedback?
If even 2 answers are “YES” —
you MUST change immediately.
🏅 Editor’s Pick — Articles That Will Help You Avoid These Mistakes
- Career Growth Roadmap → https://growwithcareer.com/career-growth-roadmap-for-freshers-2025-guide-step-by-step-plan/
- Self-Introduction for Interviews → https://growwithcareer.com/perfect-self-introduction-for-interviews-2026-examples-for-freshers-professionals/
- Complete Resume Guide → https://growwithcareer.com/simple-resume-format-for-freshers-2025-updated-free-templates-examples/
❓ FAQs
1. Is it normal to make mistakes in your early career?
Yes — but repeating them is not normal.
2. Can someone recover after being fired?
Absolutely. I did. Many people do.
3. How do I become more disciplined?
Start with small habits like waking early, being on time, and finishing tasks.
4. Will companies judge me for my past?
No — if you show growth in your present.
5. How do I avoid the mistakes you made?
Learn from guidance, be punctual, and build skills constantly.
6. Can a small company job still help me grow?
YES. It can shape your attitude and skills.
7. What if my career feels stuck now?
You can start fresh.
You can rebuild.
You can reinvent.
Just like I did.
🔥 Final Words — Your Early Career Doesn’t Define You. Your Actions Do.
If I had continued the same careless lifestyle:
- No discipline
- No seriousness
- No future thinking
…I would not be the person I am today.
Your early career mistakes don’t destroy your future —
your refusal to learn from them does.
Change your habits.
Change your thinking.
Change your discipline.
And your entire life will change.
If I can rise after being fired,
YOU CAN TOO.
👉 CTA — Start Your Career Transformation Today
Start with these guides:
🌟 Top Skills to Learn →
https://growwithcareer.com/top-skills-to-learn-in-2025-for-a-better-career-high-demand-skills-guide/
💼 Resume Guide →
https://growwithcareer.com/simple-resume-format-for-freshers-2025-updated-free-templates-examples/
🎤 Interview Preparation →
https://growwithcareer.com/perfect-self-introduction-for-interviews-2026-examples-for-freshers-professionals/
