It's promotion time! But remember, “today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You."

It's that time of year... in a few days' time our feeds are going to be flooded with the tiles and excited words of our colleagues who have been progressed or promoted. And, these are milestones which should be shared, and celebrated with full accolades bestowed.

What we aren't going to see are the people who didn't 'get up' this cycle, who might be feeling sad, disappointed or just plain ripped off. It happens, and we've probably all been there.

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I've been working for the better part of 10 years now (gawd, that milestone always felt so far away…). I've worked in many jobs and industries: as a waitress, pharmacy and dispensary assistant, physio assistant, homewares retail, for a charity, as an admin officer, as an usher at iconic Sydney theatres, a GAP student and Boarding supervisor in the UK, as a financial planning and tax assistant, as a support teacher at a deaf facility school, as an early education speech and language tutor, as a clinical rep, receptionist, candidate engagement manager, surgical specialist and account manager and now in business development. On reflection, it feels like I've packed a-lot in.

Over that time, I have had some truly phenomenal managers and bosses - who helped me achieve great things personally and professionally, supported and pushed me to go for promotions and progressions and who were always in my corner; backing me when I sometimes didn't back myself. Some became mentors, some became friends. I've also had some horrific people in power who have made every day a challenge - and not in a remotely good way. They tried to destroy peoples sense of self, work ethic and comradery. But, from both groups, I always learnt a lesson.

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So, given that there will be a multitude of feelings going around right now, it felt like the right time to share some of the things that helped me dela with success and disappointment. I don't own all of them, some have been shared with me, but they all resonated with me.

1. Give a sh*t. Find your 'amazing' and build a career out of that. Dr Suess said it best, “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You."
2. There's always a silver lining, find it. No matter how small.
3. The quickest way to fail is by not picking up the phone and having a conversation.
4. Failure is inevitable, but it's always going feel awful, scary and disappointing. Its healthy to feel these things. And don't that fear stop you. YOu'll be okay, I'm sure of it.
5. What you put in is what you get out: the more you do, the more can happen; be in the business of creating opportunities.
6. Just do the right thing.
7. Take risks and accept that they won’t always go your way. Despite that, own them, learn from them and move on. You will make more good decisions than bad ones.
8. Form is temporary, class is permanent: remember the principles of what got you here and sometimes go back to basics.
9. What got you here might not necessarily get you where you want to go: improvement and innovation are generally a blend of the old and the new.
10. Take time for yourself: the times when I have failed my clients, and most importantly colleagues are when I have been failing me
11. Appreciate the moment but never settle.
12. Always have time for your colleagues: never be too busy to take time to catch up or invest in them. They'll provide you with dividends ten fold.
13. Say yes to less and no to more: the quickest way to fail is not saying no when you should. This goes for bad clients, and regrettably bad colleagues. Go back to your values and what is doing the right thing.
14. It’s okay to not be ok: contrary to what is said at times, what we do is not easy, and neither is life, have a conversation, it could change everything in a moment.
15. Don’t be late! Ok, jokes aside, being late happens but let people know in advance, it really is a sign of respect for their time as much as yours.
16. Always leave the office ‘on time’ – just understand what ‘on time’ is (same principle working from home).
17. Learn to forgive: resentment, hatred, anger, and mistrust will only lead to bitter and ill feelings. Feel the emotion, but learn to move on.
18. It has nothing to do with good luck. Create an environment where you can thrive, and leave ones where you can't.
19. Provide feedback, even when it feels uncomfortable. Honesty and respectful dialogue will get your further than sucking up your feelings and plastering on a smile.
20. In a world where you can be anything, be kind.
21. Be a lamp, be a ladder, be a lifeboat: to be a lamp for someone is to illuminate the darkness, to light the way home, to guide someone on their path safely, and to attract others with your warmth. To be a ladder is to support someone as they climb, to assist a person in reaching greater heights, to help them escape, or give them a hand up. To be a lifeboat is to carry others through rough waters, to keep them afloat when they are drowning, to save them from catastrophe, to ease their burdens.
22. Be a cheerleader, and find your cheerleaders.
23. Work to live, don't live to work.
24. Make magic happen.

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To all the new progressors and promotes starting July 1, congratulations! In my working world, there are many of you who did 'get up'?this cycle and your achievements are not insignificant.

To those who have progressed in your rank: may this be a sign of support from your colleagues and firm, a signal that we believe in you and we are here for your continuing journey and success.

To those whose were promoted, particularly to Director or Partner, high fives all around. You bloody did it! Good, no, EXCELLENT job! You have a whole community behind you, rallying for you, proud of you and looking to you for guidance and excellence.

Do us proud, but mostly, keep doing yourselves proud.?