2017 is here and you’ve made a promise to make this your best year yet. This is the year that you’ve decided to leave all of your fears behind, and totally go for it. You want to live the life of your dreams, and the best way to start is by getting promoted at work. You already understand that as a woman, moving up the corporate ladder can be hard, but you must realize that it’s not impossible. Here are a few tips to guide you along the way!
Develop the mindset
Going for a promotion in a male-dominated work force is no walk in the park. There are going to be days when you feel like throwing in the towel, but you must develop a “can’t stop, won’t stop” attitude. A positive mindset is the only thing that’s going to pull you out of the gutter on those rough days. Get into the habit of using mantras or daily affirmations to reassure yourself. When you affirm something, you are declaring it to be true. Repeatedly stating phrases like “I am enough” or “I possess the qualities needed to be extremely successful” will definitely give your confidence a boost when you need it. Put these and other mentally stimulating phrases on post-it notes around your office and home to constantly remind yourself how awesome you are!
Be visible
No one will know that you want to move up in the company unless you say it. Don’t make the assumption that your hard work will be noticed and you will be automatically granted clearance to move up. Let your boss know that you are seeking to be promoted, then get to work. Uncover your weaknesses, then start to look for ways to improve. Broaden your horizons by taking on more projects. Establish yourself as a leader by working on your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Remember to showcase what sets you apart, but always remain a team player by keeping the interests of the company first. You may need to get comfortable with being the first one on the job in the morning and the last one to leave at night. Simply put, it’s time to hustle. When you make your intentions known to your boss, then back it up with action it’s nearly impossible to go unnoticed!
Stand in your truth
More often than not, women tend to play the background in their career. While men bask in recognition, warranted or not, women seem to take a more modest position, even if they did the bulk of the work. If you want to be taken seriously and move up in the company, you must be vocal! Do not dull your light in fear of what others might say or think about you. Take pride in your accomplishments and accept all the accolades that come with it. You earned it! Not only is playing small the fastest way to get looked over, it’s absolutely soul crushing. To quote Marianne Williamson, “There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure about you”. You are great. The effort you put into your career is phenomenal. Own it.
You’ve made it clear to yourself that you really want to make 2017 different from the rest. Now it’s time to let others in on your goal. Allow yourself to shine so brightly that no one can deny your light. That promotion is already yours, it’s just up to you to go get it. Be fearless, and if you get knocked down on the climb, just get up, shake it off, and keep on moving.
About the Author
Gloria Martinez is a college professor turned business owner who created WomenLed.org to educate people about the many women-led achievements that have shaped our world.