Reach Out and Manage Yourself Upwards

From Judith:

It’s easy enough to say that everyone should "own their own career"—but how do you do that?

Assuming you desire upward advancement, here’s a get-started checklist:

* Ask your manager or Human Resources for the criteria for promotion to the next level

* Determine the areas of expertise where you need to grow and improve

* Request the help of a mentor or coach (or even your manager if appropriate) to support your promotional determination

* Ask for a larger role or larger project to help you demonstrate your abilities

* Make sure your participation at meetings is respectful of differences of opinion, inquiring when you need more information or clarification, and adds value when you speak rather then merely repeating something that’s already on the table

* Behave at all times as if you already have the promotion: think ahead, propose creative ideas, engender greater collaboration

* If it’s appropriate, ask people senior to you who know your work to give you endorsements

Having read that list, check in with yourself to see how you feel.

Because while you move ahead—as above—the next things you need to do are to watch for:

* Anxiety that stifles desire

* Head talk that challenges you like "Who do you think you are?"

* Beliefs that other people are better than you so there’s no point in trying to move ahead

* Self-doubt that kicks up when you DO get help and support

* Procrastination or other self-defeating forms of self-sabotage

* Any need to keep your successes private or hidden from your colleagues

* Holding back from announcing your desire for a promotion, even when you think you are ready

Any of these behaviors or experiences are indicators that The Fear of Being Fabulous is lurking in your unconscious mind, overpowering the desire you experience consciously. So take a moment right now and think about your current hold back behavior. Where did you see people relate to their excellence in a fear-filled, resistant manner? What were you told about ambition that could be biting you in the you-know-what right now? How would moving forward in a self-confident manner betray where you came from?

Those are just a few pointers to get you started exploring what’s at stake if you allow yourself to go for it fully and robustly, to truly give your heart and soul to managing your further success.

Now it’s your turn. What do you think and what do you experience about what you’ve just read?