I want you to succeed.
Yes, I am a career coach and I want you to do your good work in the world. I want you to be excited by the work you’re doing, I want you to know it’s a good fit, and I want you to be appreciated.
But there is something deeper that I want for you – hallmarks of success that I believe will sustain and nourish you no matter what you do for work.
I want you to know that you have many gifts to offer. I want you to know you have value.
You are wise and smart and creative and unique. It’s true that I don’t know you. But I do know that we all have an abundance to offer. We have a goldmine full of gems – experience, training, insights, wisdom, talents, qualities, values, accomplishments. Too often, these gems remain diamonds in the rough.
- Sometimes we need help uncovering and naming what’s in you.
- Sometimes we need to remove the tarnish that someone has heaped on top of you.
- Sometimes we need a little spit and polish.
My success – and your success – also has a range of physical expressions. Each one is evidence that you are claiming your value.
It’s not enough to know you have an abundance to offer. It’s essential that you own your value and embody your self-worth.
- It’s in the way you stand – upright and tall, allowing yourself to be seen.
- It’s in the way you smile and say thank you when someone appreciates you and recognizes your value.
- It’s in the way you speak about yourself. You are clear and articulate. You let us know what distinguishes you. You tell us about your accomplishments and achievements. You claim your gifts. You celebrate yourself.
- It’s in the way you look people in the eye. You are steady and sure. You want to connect. You relate.
- It’s in the way you breathe. You are open and available. You are receptive.
- It’s in your voice. You are friendly and audible. You communicate ease, energy and enthusiasm. You pause for emphasis. You do not mumble or jumble or use filler words. You do not end sentences with question marks unless you are asking a question.
- It’s in your body. You are grounded, but not stiff. Your feet are planted on the floor. Your knees are soft. You are relaxed and upright.
Your success can be seen in authentic self-promotion. Much as that phrase may have once tweaked you, you now know that is possible and imperative that you communicate your value. To get hired and often to be appreciated or recognized, you have to take credit for what you have contributed. You can be genuine and natural and self-promoting. It takes practice. It takes practice, especially if you are uncomfortable with speaking about yourself (and that’s why it’s helpful to have safe places like the Interview Club where you can be seen and supported by kindred spirits.)
It takes being honest with yourself about what you offer and what you have achieved. And it often takes a kind, thoughtful, attentive audience (like a coach) to reflect back to you the gems that you bring to the world.
Give yourself permission to lean into self-promotion and authentic communication. You will feel the benefit of your efforts in your work, your job offers, your client interactions and self-esteem.
To your success!