How to overcome the fear of going for a promotion.

We all know that going for something new and getting out of your comfort zone can be far easier said than done. Putting yourself on the line or opening yourself up for criticism and rejection isn’t easy. 

We are our own harshest critics and, typically, when you go for something new, you'll immediately be thinking of all the things that can go wrong.

Yet if you are going for a promotion, you'll likely inadvertently invite negative opinions, destructive comments and unsought for judgements from both external and outside voices.  

How to overcome your fears?

To be honest, the best way is to get started and take action. Once you stop letting your fears take centre stage and do something, it can be much easier than you think.

Getting started can make you happy, which has to be a good thing.

Don't get me wrong, it's likely to be still nerve-wracking, and avoiding failure isn't guaranteed, but doing something is better than feeling anxiety about doing nothing. You're on the way and doing something you believe in and want for yourself. 

So what helps? 

What can you do to overcome your fears and make a move to get started?

1.      Talk about it. 

Let people know what you're considering, especially if you're thinking of going for a promotion. You'll need a trusted community of people around you to champion you and support you should you be unsuccessful the first time.

The encouragement you receive will motivate you to get started and keep going. Once you set an intention and a date to start, simply telling people about your plans and goals will help you feel like they are more real and achievable.

Moreover, telling people helps keep you accountable, especially if you ask them to check you're making progress.

2.      Trust yourself. 

Despite the feelings of discomfort with not knowing what's next for you, it's essential to be able to rely on your gut instinct. Once you've worked out what you want, trust that you can get it done.

If you're anything like me, you want to be in control and organised; it feels like the safer option. However, it's also good to let go a little bit, trust you're heading in the right direction and that you'll learn along the way.

One of the things I've learned is that it's okay to make mistakes. Mistakes often provide the best learning and each learning curve, each success or failure is still you making progress and taking steps towards what matters and what you want most in your life. 

3.      Be open to opportunities. 

How often have you let fear stop you from saying yes to new opportunities or creating them for yourself because you're worried about what people will say?

Instead of immediately saying no to something that feels scary, like a new project, responsibility, or a significant change, take time to consider it.

Talk to other people, make a list of pros and cons, and even if you eventually say no, it will be for the reasons that are right for now and not from a place of fear.

One of the best pieces of advice is from Richard Branson, who advocates saying yes when opportunities come along and then concentrating on working out the how later.

I don't back always jumping off a cliff and hoping for the best (although looking back at my career changes, that's precisely what I did); it's also about seizing what you want when it comes around. 

4.      Work out what makes you happy. 

There's no point in slogging on with something that ultimately doesn't serve you, won't achieve your goals, and makes you unhappy in the interim.

How often have you struggled with a project that demotivates you, worked for a consistently lazy and inefficient boss, or even had to collaborate with an unsupportive colleague? These might be the reasons you're applying for a promotion in the first place.

Understanding what you don't like about your current role and why, will help ensure that the things you do like, want and value are in place in the new role. You'll have the clarity of knowing what you want, giving you the confidence to ask for it.

There are opportunities if you take the time to work out what you want and what will make you feel happy. 

What can you do next to get started?

There's never a perfect time to start moving towards what you want for yourself but I hope that these ideas have helped you think about overcoming the fear of trying something new. 

How would it feel if you were working towards that now?

Work through my list of suggestions and if you'd like support to get started or if you're at a crossroads deciding what to do next, then get in touch and we can talk it through.

You don't have to wait - you can get started today.

If you have any comments or queries about anything I've discussed in this newsletter, or have an idea for a topic, let me know – I love hearing from you. 

Until next time,

Jackie x

 P.S. Going for a promotion or that next big opportunity? Check out my blog post to discover the five questions to ask yourself before you say yes to a leadership role.