Owning Your Success: Overcoming the Discomfort of Sharing Your Achievements

Have you ever felt deeply uncomfortable sharing your career and personal accomplishments? I certainly have. Whenever I started talking about my professional milestones—or even my son’s sports victories—I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. A sense of shame would wash over me.

This discomfort is not uncommon, even among the most successful individuals. Many of us struggle to articulate our accomplishments, and the reasons are varied: imposter syndrome, cultural norms that reward humility, or past experiences that taught us to downplay our successes. For me, I equated being vocal about my achievements with arrogance. This limiting belief held me back from self-advocating and sharing valuable experiences and lessons with others.

If you find yourself diminishing your accomplishments or not sharing them at all, it’s important to recognize that your silence could be limiting your opportunities—especially when it comes to landing your dream role. So, what can you do to overcome this limiting belief?

Embrace Your Strengths

One of the first steps in overcoming uneasiness around self-promotion is embracing your strengths. Often, discomfort arises from a lack of clarity about what we bring to the table. By mapping out your strengths, values, and achievements, you can gain a clearer understanding of your unique value proposition.

• Actionable Tip:?Take a moment to list your top strengths and past successes. Select one or two and write a brief story about them using the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Then, record yourself sharing these stories in a video that lasts no more than 30 seconds. This exercise helps you practice articulating your achievements with confidence.

Acknowledging and articulating these successes is the first step toward feeling confident in pursuing higher-level roles.

Align Your Success with Your Values

If you still feel like an imposter after recording your success stories, it might help to rediscover how those stories align with your values and purpose. When we view our career trajectory as a reflection of our deeper values, it becomes easier to articulate why we’re suited for higher roles.

• Actionable Tip:?Set aside 30 minutes to revisit your core values and purpose. Reflect on how your past achievements and experiences align with these guiding principles. This alignment can provide a strong foundation for confidently communicating your worth.

Your Desired Future as a Confidence Booster

Having a clear vision of your Desired Future can also alleviate discomfort in articulating your successes. When you have a strong, forward-looking vision, you can frame your achievements as essential stepping stones toward that future, making it easier to speak about them positively.

• Actionable Tip:?Write a narrative about your Desired Future, including the executive role you aspire to. Visualize how your past successes have been integral to your journey, and how they will continue to propel you forward. This exercise can make it easier to discuss your accomplishments with confidence and clarity.

Take the Next Step

After completing these steps, you may find yourself more comfortable—and even proud—of sharing your achievements. If you are, take it to the next level by consistently sharing your story. Consider mentoring others or joining professional groups where you can regularly articulate your successes and inspire others.

Owning your success isn’t just about self-promotion; it’s about recognizing the value you bring and sharing it with the world in a way that aligns with your values and vision.

Cheers,

Nitza

About the Author:?Nitza Rivera is an executive coach and human capital consultant with a background in mechanical engineering and human resources. She helps stressed out executives master career transitions, attain their dream roles, and find lasting professional success. Nitza is passionate about aligning daily choices with personal fulfillment and helping individuals navigate their career journeys.

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