The Easy Little Secret to Your Next Promotion And Raise

Have you ever done something amazing at work, and you want to shout it from the roof top but your first thought is "Don't brag."

Or:

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"Stop talking about yourself."

Or maybe:

"I don't want to sound like an a**"

Have you ever had one of these thoughts?  They sneak into your mind just as soon as you get ready to toot your own horn, and they hold you back from acknowledging your hard work.

These thoughts are what could be preventing your next big salary increase OR your next big promotion (or both!!)

Here are two key things that we often forget:

1. The person who cares the most about your career is...YOU. Yes, I know I just stated the obvious, but women especially tend to think about the greater good and by doing so we make our own accomplishments small.  Or, we assume others think the same way that we do, and someone else will toot our horn for us.  Which would be great but, it is so often *not* what happens.

2. Asking for something never got you fired.  When was the last time you heard someone say: "Well - he asked for a salary review so we had to let him go..."

Exaaaaactly.

So, in our efforts to show up as the good girl, as the nice person, and not as the over confident jerk who just annoys people we often fail to get paid what we are worth, or, more importantly, get in line for that next good promotion!

Your manager may think you are amazing,  but they still have 100 other things going through their mind (meetings, strategy, what to have for lunch).  They don't know everything you are up to day-to-day, and your salary and your career is not their #1 priority.

It's your salary... and your career.

But you can do a few things to help you stand-out, make your case, and accelerate your earnings.  And do it without annoying people, or feeling *too* uncomfortable.

1. Start keeping a success record of everything that you do that is outstanding or noteable. Deals you close, partnerships you forge, ideas you have that get implemented. Whatever is important to you in your chosen career field.

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2. Update that list weekly. Put a tickler on your calendar on Monday or Friday to do that. Open up a blank word document and take 15 minutes and jot down the great things that you have accomplished (Bonus: it will make you feel great! And you will show up at work with more confidence in yourself).

3. Review that list regularly - highlight the things that are really important.  Underline the things that are well out of your area of responsibility - the stuff you did that made you go above and beyond. Just write whatever comes to mind and keep adding to the list.