Getting ahead takes work. Part I of this newsletter covered our internal salesman (including showmanship), our contributions, and how we communicate in the workplace.
Part II focuses on the importance of knowing thyself - acknowledging your accomplishments, recognizing what is important to you, and doing what it takes to set you up to succeed.
Know Yourself
Oftentimes people set unattainable goals at work and it is important to understand and acknowledge your limitations.
With additional training, you can learn new skills to achieve goals in the future that may be unobtainable today. If that is just not feasible at this time, take stock of your strengths and exploit them to the fullest and don’t concentrate on your shortcomings.
Do you know where you excel and what your limitations are? Write them down. Play to your strengths and set a goal for personal development in those other areas.
We all remember elementary school, junior high and high school. We are taught math, grammar, history, art and physical education. And we are expected to excel in all of those, yet if we didn’t do well in any one area our parents may have hired a tutor or we would feel “stupid” because we just didn’t “get it”.
Think about the positive outcome if your teachers had worked with you to hone those areas in which you already excelled? Maybe you would be an amazing artist, traveling the world and having your work showcased in galleries and in homes of the rich and famous.
How amazing would it be if we learned, from an early age, to play to our strengths and only our strengths?
In the workplace, take stock of where YOU excel, write down an action plan to showcase your strengths and GO FOR IT!
If you feel it is necessary to improve upon your limitations in order to land a new job or climb the corporate ladder, create an action plan for professional development through books, courses or seminars.
Ten steps to building your confidence and getting that promotion.
Stop waiting quietly for someone to acknowledge your contributions. Stop expecting things to happen because you have put in late nights or weekends. You are not alone.
1. Generate a list of your accomplishments over the last year and highlight those of which you are especially proud (e.g. that huge contract, the new process you developed/implemented that saved the company time and money, etc.)
2. Generate a list of your qualities—the ones you feel are especially helpful to the company or team (e.g. your team spirit).
3. Have a clear idea about where you want to go.
a. What position?
b. What additional responsibilities you want to take on?
c. What salary?
d. What benefits?
4. Learn as much as you can about the expectations of this role and the requirements for the position (e.g. education, experience, responsibilities)
5. Align your credentials with the requirements for the position you seek—prepare a case for yourself.
6. If your credentials are a clear match, go for it! If not, learn more from your boss and/or HR about what you might need to meet the requirements in the near future.
7. When you are ready, send a meeting request to your boss to discuss your role, and follow-up until the date has been set.
8. Be the consummate professional—wear appropriate business attire. How do those who currently occupy the position you seek dress? Find inspiration from them.
9. When you meet with your boss, present your case confidently, speak clearly and help him/her make the same connections you’ve already made.
10. Should your boss not agree the time is right, obtain feedback and be sure to inquire about specific skills, knowledge, and the performance you can demonstrate in the coming months to ensure your growth. Specify a timeframe in which you intend to obtain them and agree to revisit this discussion once that period expires.
Continuous Learning
Learning new skills are essential if you want to grow, in all areas of your life.
If your company offers you the chance for further education, take it.
In addition, investigate available courses online or at your local community college, university or learning center.
To stay ahead of the rest, challenge yourself to continuous learning.
Continuous learning includes personal growth. Hire a coach. Learn to see yourself not for who you think you are, but to see what you can be. Believe in your potential and the possibilities you can realize by believing in yourself. A career coach will help you recognize your potential and will provide the encouragement and motivation to keep you on track.
Remember, in order for you to get ahead you must sell yourself; any additional skills and personal development will enhance your MARKETABILITY.
If you need help creating a plan to get ahead in the workplace or to build your confidence, contact me so that we can:
1. Define your vision and direction
2. Review and reconstruct your plan
3. Evaluate your environments to ensure success
4. Assess your skillsets, and
5. Master that mindset
Dare to DREAM because, without question, the greatest opportunities ARE on the other side of change.
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