Are You Good at Self Promotion?
Are you good at self promotion or do you feel uncomfortable? Would you like to learn how to promote yourself at work?
Being able to self-promote has advantages. It is vital to personal advancement, and if done well can place you in top positions within your workplace.
Many of us are afraid to take credit for our successes because it feels uncomfortable. We may feel we will be seen as bragging or tooting our own horn.
These feelings can be related to our feelings of self-worth, but there may be other causes for the discomfort. How we were raised and the expectations put upon us in our formative years can greatly influence our ease with taking credit for accomplishments.
Many families, societies, and cultures express disapproval with announcing successes; but in other cultures, such expressions are considered healthy or even admirable.
What does it really cost you if you take credit for something you have achieved? Nothing at all, and it can actually open up opportunities and more success.
Table of Contents
Symptoms of Poor Self-Promotion
Is this you? You work hard, you go the extra mile and deliver beyond others expectations. However, you do not take credit for your success. Instead, you allow others (especially with seniority or longer tenure at work) to be recognized.
You never use ‘I’ but ‘we.’ You always share the credit for your own diligent effort among your peers, groups, teams, and other people.
This does not necessarily help you, particularly when it comes to your career.
Sharing credit makes you feel good at the time, but you may regret doing so later and wish you had been able to confidently claim your individual achievements as your own.
When someone compliments you for your achievements, you feel that you are just lucky and thank the universe for making it happen, rather than thanking yourself for your efforts and skills.
You tell yourself that great work sells itself, so there is no need for showing off your outstanding performance. You hope that the right people will notice your achievements. After all, it was you who did all the hard work.
The problem is that the right people are busy, and they are not usually focused on who did what. They are mostly focused on the results. That is why you need to know how to promote yourself at work so that people see the great work you are doing.
The Art and Skill of Self-Promotion
A person who is good at self-promotion does not mind taking credit for his or her valid accomplishments.
Just like painting a self portrait, boosting your image is an art and an effective leadership skill which can be learned; that is great news for those who are not naturally comfortable with it.
Self-promotion is one of the strongest skills found in successful individuals, and can be gradually improved with practice and application.
How to Promote Yourself at Work – The Right Way
Follow the right road to self-promotion – do it the most effective way.
Self-promotion is not the same as showing off. Speaking up about accomplishments made and contributions you can deliver does not necessarily mean you are egocentric or self-absorbing. It is all in the way you express yourself.
Always attempt to strike a balance between confidence and humility. You do not want to be seen as arrogant, nor do you want to seem whimpish.
Here are some ways to more effectively promote yourself without being self-obsessed.
To know how to promote yourself at work, first know yourself. Self-awareness is important to successful self-promotion. It is about knowing your attitudes, values, behavior, beliefs, feelings, and other personality factors. Take some time for self-reflection to understand why you think and act as you do.
Question any thoughts or behaviors you have that are not supporting the actions you know you need to take. Be aware of your beliefs, hopes and goals, and make adjustments if necessary.
If you are self-aware, you can promote in a naturally-appealing manner.
Wise Words
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
We all have good stories to tell about ourselves regarding our accomplishments If you tell them, make sure they are interesting and provide value, and told in a humble way. Don’t embellish, but don’t be self-deprecating either. Regularly take some time to review your stories and how you will tell them so you are confident with how you express yourself.
When you discuss your accomplishments, say things like:
“Thank you for the compliment”
“I believe I did a good job”
“I was glad to make this happen”
“I was happy to contribute to our team objectives”
After you accept a compliment the right way, then you can also show genuine appreciation and recognition if your efforts are not yours alone. There may have been individuals who contributed along the way. By showing genuine appreciation and gratitude to others, you will make them feel valuable, and your image will shine too.
Walk the talk so you can self-promote unashamedly. Don’t make empty promises. Do what you say you will do. Focus on ‘showing’ what you have done, as well as ‘telling’ what you will do. At work, it is easier to show leadership if people see you fulfilling your responsibilities.
When to Self-Promote?
As discussed above you can constantly self-promote by your daily acivities, but there are some other specific times to self-promote.
When you complete a project. Let people know that the project is finished, and ask for feedback.
When you receive a complement for your work. Give thanks graciously and mention that you hope your work is helpful to the team. You could also express that the work was challenging but you think the result was positive.
When you make a suggestion. If you suggest a solution to a problem you are promoting yourself. You are showing that you care. If your solution is received well, try to follow up appropriately.
When you volunteer to do something. Volunteering is another form of self-promotion. Be sure to follow through and do a great job.
When you have an employee review. It is appropriate to have a list of your accomplishments and ongoing productivity to discuss at your review. Always express yourself as a team player in these meetings.
Wise Words
Your best champion and cheerleader is yourself...... You've gotta get up for it every day.
One Last Tip
Regularly review your resume in order to keep in mind your past accomplishments and good qualities. Add new achievments to the resume a few times a year.
Self-promotion is not always easy, especially in the workplace, which is why it can feel uncomfortable to do. For some people, it is way outside of their comfort zone.
However, the right way of promoting yourself can be learned. It has many advantages and can be life-changing. Effective self-promotion has helped many individuals unlock their true potential, overcome their weaknesses, and find more success.
How about you? Are you now ready to begin promoting your achievements?
