Does the thought of talking to your boss about career advancement make you anxious?
Or maybe you’ve been passed over before and just feel stuck.
There are so many reasons women don’t speak up and advocate for career advancement. A lot of it comes down to promotion anxiety and the fear of putting yourself out there.
Promotion anxiety is a real thing that a lot of women experience! Don’t feel like you’re alone in this. But don’t let the fear lead you to quit your job just to avoid the discomfort. Instead, follow these practical and effective tips to overcome promotion anxiety and advance in your career.
5 Tips to Overcome Promotion Anxiety
There are two key reasons why women don’t walk into their boss’s office and ask for a raise or promotion: lack of confidence and not knowing what to say.
These are two common barriers to getting a much-deserved promotion. And they keep women waiting, waiting, waiting for their boss to approach them and give them a raise. And while they’re waiting, they’re taking on more and burning out by saying “yes” all the time.
Sound familiar? Take control of your career with these five tips:
1. Remember your greatness
We all have greatness inside. Take some time to think about what you’ve accomplished in the past and document it! This Indeed article has some ideas to get you started. Doing this exercise will boost your confidence and show your boss a proven record of your accomplishments.
2. Think of the worst-case scenario
This can feel uncomfortable, but it’s important to think through! The worst-case scenario when you ask for a raise or promotion is that you’re told “no.”
And while this might be a big fear to overcome, it’s not the one you should be concerned about. Instead, direct your fear to what happens if you don’t ask and miss an opportunity for advancement. If you never ask, you’ll never know the truth. At least a “no” is information that allows you to move forward.
3. Decide and commit
Before other people see you in a role, you need to see yourself there. If you don’t currently possess the skills needed for an advanced role, you need to start learning them.
A career coach may be the right person to support you in this phase. They know how to help you commit to your decision to grow and can keep you accountable to the action steps to get to your goal.
4. Go the extra mile
“The extra mile is never crowded” is a true statement! Too many people go in and ask for a raise without any rationale why. If you go the extra mile to show why you are worth the raise or promotion, you’re setting yourself up for success. Gain respect from your boss and give them a reason to promote you!
5. Practice, practice, practice
You practice for your big presentation, so why wouldn’t you practice asking for a raise or promotion? Practicing this conversation can naturally boost your confidence, settle your nerves, and help you communicate what you want.
It may seem like some people are naturally “good” at advocating for themselves, but research shows that practice is more important than natural ability most of the time.
Click on the video below to learn more….!
There they are—five effective tips to overcome promotion anxiety. Don’t let your nerves hold you back from the promotion you deserve!
If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, join the My Promotion Plan masterclass. It’s designed for women like you to build career confidence and advance today.
