Working Hard is NOT the Answer

Over the last 30 years I have written, delivered, approved and sat in on 1000’s of performance and raise reviews.

One of the beliefs I carried into adulthood was from my Dad! Just work hard Tammy he would tell me and everything will be okay.

Hey you should have a strong work ethic I do but if you're working hard and waiting for someone else to notice that is a big problem!

Honestly, most people navigate this important annual function in exactly the same way.

They wait until they receive their review from their manager, read what the managers input is complete their own sections and head into the meeting totally unprepared. Mainly with feelings and not facts.

Almost to a person they would say....I work hard, I come in early, stay late you can always count with me. I’ve been here a long time and deserve the raise or promotion.

I did exactly the same thing as an employee and usually left the review meetings feeling overlooked, under valued and not receiving the raise or promotion I wanted.

I became resentful watching ‘other’ people who I knew didn’t work as hard as me seemingly get the raises and promotion that I felt I deserved.

Sound familiar?

Okay let’s cut to the chase, Even though every thing you think about the ‘other’ people don’t deserve what they receive, that the system or your boss is not fair staying stuck in that is not going to help you.

Here is how you can get that next raise or promotion and stand out in the crowd.

1.???? PLANT THE SEEDS: The planning for that meeting starts 364 days before it happens or today what ever comes first. Start your success journal. Don’t overthink it and don’t get fancy. A piece of paper or word document works. Every day write down your 2 successes and how they are linked to the success of the business. TIP: Everything is tied to increasing revenue and profit. Doing this small, seemingly insignificant action will lead to powerful results. You will be able to articulate your value with facts instead of feelings.

2.???? CHART THE COURSE: Set a meeting with your boss (with an agenda) and express your interest in climbing that proverbial corporate ladder. Ask for help building a roadmap of what you need to deliver or accomplish to make it happen. ?What are the specific steps. If they don’t know or appear unprepared to support meet with HR not in a negative way just to get support.

3.???? EMBRACE PERSONAL EXCELLENCE: Finally, and this is a big one, a crucial step. Take a good look in the mirror and commit to being a person who delivers, who operates at a level of personal excellence every day. NO MATTER WHAT! That no external force can get in the way of your success. I promise you this step is the most important because it will? develop your confidence and belief in yourself and that translates to action. YOU are not doing this for your boss, your co-workers or even the company. YOU are doing this for YOU! In being the person who delivers, who can articulate your value to the business, who is a problem solver and a leader (even without a title), you don’t gossip or complain instead you take action YOU will change the results you achieve. If you don’t achieve what you want where you are you will have the confidence and courage to move on.

Take charge of your own success because no will or should care about it as much as you do!

How do I know this works? It’s exactly how I grew my career from the stockroom floor to the boardroom table as a C-Suite Executive and how I’ve helped 1000’s of people get that raise or promotion, land new roles and create successful, thriving, lucrative careers.

To Your Success!

Tammy