Why You Advocate for Your Promotion 3-6 Months Ahead of Budget Planning

At Badassery in the Berkshires,?an executive women's retreat I spoke at last fall, I led a negotiation workshop and emphasized the need for asking early and often -- at least 3-6 months ahead of budget decisions.?

During the session, a former Chief Revenue Officer of a major media company rose to her feet and shared a story that stuck with me:?

One of her direct reports asked for a raise AFTER the company finalized its budget for the next year. And she was frustrated -- not because the employee didn't deserve it, but because the budgets aren't flexible after the fact.?

"Finalizing the budget is a grueling, multi-party negotiation," she explained. "It takes enormous amount of mental and emotional bandwidth. By the time it's done, my hands are tied. I can't just go back and ask for more money."?

The point? "If this direct report had asked earlier, I could have fought for them. Gladly."

This is why advocating for yourself early and often is an act of service. It helps your manager make the case for you when it really matters.?

The Power of Asking Early and Often

I recently coached a client who did exactly this.?

She came to the session glowing and wearing red lipstick. "My war paint," she called it.?

She'd just told her boss she wants a promotion, a gutsy thing she'd never done before in her 15+ years of professional career.?

"But my boss said, 'We have to work hard to make this happen by mid-year review.' I don't know what that means," she said.?

"Timing-wise, this is GOLD," I said. "Your boss isn't wrong -- this is how the process actually happens."?

A Case Study: How the Promotion Timeline Works?

Q1: Tell your boss you want a promotion. Create alignment early, not later.?

Between Q1 and Q2: Work with boss to nail the promotion plan and necessary documentation.

Between Q2 and Q3: Secure promotion at mid-year review.?

By Q4: Influence end-of-year budget decisions. Either take a seat at the table as a newly appointed manager, or inform decision-makers BEFORE they finalize the budget.?

This way, you secure both your growth and the resources (money, people, support) you need to keep thriving next year.

If Your Company Only Promotes at Year-End?

Q1: Strategize your self-advocacy. Get clear on who the key stakeholders are and build rapport.?

Q2 – Q3: Ace your mid-year review. Come prepared with specific ways you’re excelling—and what else you want to take on (or delegate) to set yourself up for promotion.

Q4: Secure the promotion at your end-of-year review. Your resource ask is already baked into budget decisions for the next year.?

Why This Matters?

Front-run decision-making. Promotions and budgets are decided in advance—so plan ahead and ask early so that your strategic planning and smart communication set?you apart.

The time to plan ahead is NOW. Even if the specifics shift, the act of planning sharpens your thinking, reduces overwhelm, and makes you a stronger leader.

But in case you're thinking...?

Can't it Wait??

The urge to prove oneself is strong among high-achievers, women, and minorities. The urge keeps coming even after one accomplishment after another.?

And here's the thing.?

The “proving myself” mindset blinds you to your full professional value. It creates a cognitive bias where you can’t see how you’re already operating at a level far above most.?

Because underneath it is the urge to wait and avoid potential disappointment or rejection. And underneath that is self-doubt.?

But practically speaking -- what actually happens??

By the time your super-impressive project is done, more work is added to your plate. More responsibility. No title or pay bump. It went to the other person who didn't hesitate to advocate for themselves.?

AAAAND...?

If you wait too long, you risk frustrating your boss with your misaligned timing. (Scroll back to the story at the top of this newsletter).?

The Smart Move: Advocate Early and Often

If you're waiting for the "right time" to ask for what you want—this is it.

Every successful self-advocacy story starts with a decision.

The decision to stop waiting. The decision to take stock of your full value and own it. The decision to make your voice heard.

Imagine this: Three to six months from now, you're not just hoping for a promotion—you’re positioned for it. Your boss is already thinking about how to make it happen. Your name is in the right conversations. The budget has room for you.

That’s what smart planning does.

And I can help you get there.

Click here to book your free hour-long consultation. We’ll map out your strategy together—so you’re not just hoping for a raise or promotion. You’re making it inevitable.

Time is moving. Let’s make sure you’re moving with it. Book your call now.?

Talk soon,

Jamie?

P.S. In the previous edition of this newsletter, I asked for 5-star Google reviews. I asked and received plentifully.

Shout out to Tracy, Robyn, Eva and about 10 others!!!?