You Want to Move Up But Haven't: 8 Reasons Why.

Another year has gone by and you are still in the same unhappy place at your job, wondering when it's going to be your turn. You can't keep doing the same thing expecting a different result. A goal without a plan is just a wish, and unless you have a fairy Godmother that just won't do. Time for #ToughLoveTiff to take over the keyboard, to help you shake things up. Let's get into some of the reasons why you might be stuck:

1. YOU ARE NEGATIVE

No one and I do mean NO ONE wants to work with someone who sucks all the air out of the room every time they enter it. Beware of how you show up to meetings and other shared spaces. Are you always the one who points out what's wrong, but never an accompanying solution? Are you always asking how this person got X and you didn't get Y? STOP. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. You are wearing everyone out, and for all of your grumbling, you haven't moved anything forward - ever. I'm not saying you shouldn't speak up in places of inequity, you should do that - always. I am saying there is a time and a place for everything, stop being tone-deaf and tactless and get strategic.

2. YOU DON'T ASK ABOUT HOW TO GET BETTER

Proactively ask your manager for feedback on how you are doing often. You don't have to wait until your annual review to get helpful tips and make changes. This helps to remove any performance blind spots and communicates to your manager that you care about the job and doing it well. People often don't do this because they are afraid of hearing what they're not great at. NEWSFLASH: They can already see what you're not great at! Asking proactively will help improve your growth areas. Don't wait until you get rejected from an opportunity to ask for this kind of feedback, be the first to know not the last.

3. YOU ARE ALIGNING YOURSELF WITH FOOLS

I will never ever understand grown people that treat the workplace like a 6th-grade slumber party. "We" don't like her because she replaced Susie last year." "We" think the manager should be doing it like this instead of like that. "We" used to do it this way before he came along". I have watched people leave their career and their calling hitching their wagon to the next person's raggedy horse. "We" will get you looked over every time because people don't promote an ensemble they promote shining stars. As the saying goes you are the company you keep. Beware of taking someone's word as gospel, while unknowingly aligning yourself with a person with a work ethic that doesn't match yours. Any good manager can see a strong employee by what they produce. Don't let your hard work get clouded in the fog of "We".

4. YOU WON'T ASK SOMEONE DOING IT

Never underestimate the power of the informational interview. Taking the time to talk to and learn from the person doing the job you want now. Learn the competencies, skills, and mindsets that they use in their work every day. Spot check yourself and your skills against where you'd like to go next and make adjustments. Don't assume you know from the outside looking in, be humble and teachable.

5. YOU DON'T NETWORK

If you are too cool for school and functioning with an "I just work here" aura you come to no one's mind when thinking about promotion. If you've been in the same spot year after year it's time out for the "I let opportunity find me" energy. You gotta go out there and get it. This isn't high school, there are no cool points for sitting on the sidelines while everyone else is making moves. In line with the too cool for school analogy, stop hating on the "teacher's pet" for taking initiative and shining. The manager likes them because they make their lives easier, instead of being another "cool kid" needing to be convinced to do what they are paid to do. Take a minute to watch the people getting it done, 10 times out of 10 they are grinding while building and working their connections to make things happen.

6. YOU ARE AFRAID TO SHINE

When you are looking to be promoted you can't sit at the back of the room with all of your great ideas inside of your brain or scribbled in a notebook, you have to speak up. Whenever there is an opportunity to put your work on display, do it. When people can clearly see your value add to your organization you are much likely to come to their minds when an opportunity is available. If there is an opportunity for you to take on something new and challenging do it. If you can lead a committee or a new initiative do it. Everything isn't worth nickel and diming on the front end - when you have proven your value to the team/organization they will work to not only keep you, but keep you happy. When you get there don't be afraid to ask for what you want, negotiate, and add tax!

7. YOU ARE MEAN

Who hurt you? Do you really think talking crazy to people at work is going to win you promotion brownie points? I promise it's easier for everyone when you make a decision to BE NICE. Such a simple concept (they teach this to Kindergarteners!) but so many people miss the mark here. No one wants to help a jerk advance no matter how good their work is. Kindness matters, even in the workplace. I'm not talking about the fake see-through version that people can see from a mile away, and I'm not talking passive-aggressive nice nasty either. Take a genuine interest in learning about others, when you get to know people better it is easier to develop empathy and genuine kindness towards them.

8. YOU DON'T LEVEL UP

Are you up to date with the new trends in your field? When's the last time you read a book or article related to the work that you do each day? Take the time to invest in yourself by getting a new credential or even a new degree. Got more degrees than a thermometer? Learn a new language! Everyone can level up. This is not a right reserved for just a talented few, no matter what your lane is I promise you there is an accelerated version of it, find it.

If you hung in through this entire post I've got a feeling that you are serious about it this time. Go out and be great, it's you versus you.

Cut the crap and move into your destiny.

#TOUGHLOVETIFF Out.