Advancing through one's career can be challenging. As we experience setbacks, impostor syndrome, and uncertainty at various points of our career, we may develop some habits which, when taken too far, could see us sabotaging our own progress. You are your own worst critic. Despite my own experience with anxiety, a bullying internal critic, and “self-deprecating humour”, I'm now a senior engineer and I've noticed these habits in people I mentor. I hope to help you identify signs of these bad habits in yourself and others, and to talk about what has helped me work through it.