You’re not alone if, like many of our clients and members, you struggle with these three career snags!
The journey to career advancement and professional success hinges on overcoming three significant challenges: lack of time, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome. In this post, I want to delve deeper into these obstacles and share my experience and strategies for not just managing them but turning them into catalysts for career advancement.
Finding Time for What Matters Most
Like many high achievers, the number one snag I've personally grappled with is time—or rather, the lack of it. Between juggling work, personal commitments, and family and pursuing continued growth, it's easy to feel like our plates are forever overflowing. As I often say, we feel like we're spinning plates, yet our to-do list is never-ending.
I've learned that carving out time isn't only about finding a few spare minutes; it's about prioritizing oneself. It's been crucial for me to intentionally plan for my own health, mental well-being, and professional development.
How have I done this? By creating non-negotiable timeslots with myself at the start or end of my workday appointments, focusing these sacred minutes on activities that ensure I'm physically, emotionally, and intellectually at my best.
Professionally, I’ve made my professional development part of my workday, whether it has been attending a conference, a lunch and learn, watching a training video, or networking with colleagues. I bake it into the day whenever possible.
From experience, we cannot give our best to others unless we feel our best. This is what we teach in our leadership training programs, and it’s part of Self-leadership.
Building Confidence and Self-Assurance
The next critical challenge is the double-edged sword of self-doubt and lack of confidence. We often hear, " If I had more confidence, I would go after the promotion." How does that resonate in your scenario?
Raising your hand to make your next career move within your organization or externally often isn’t about your capability—it's about your belief in your capability.
Building confidence starts with recognizing your zone of genius, your wheelhouse, and celebrating your accomplishments, no matter how small. I've found that tracking our company's successes on a large Post-it note provides a tangible reminder of my competency and the value and impact we contribute at work, especially when self-doubt starts to seep in.
Similarly for you, tracking your successes for the week, quarter, and year will show you in black and white the impact you delivered throughout the year. That alone will significantly boost your confidence and quiet down the voices of self-doubt.
Another technique I've embraced is seeking support from mentors and coaches who’ve achieved what I aim to do in my business or personally. Asking for their insights, figuring out what works for me, and executing what I uncover keep me in momentum. Their guidance gives me the confidence to implement what I’ve learned and tweak it as needed.
Most recently, since December ‘23, I’ve collaborated with my coach, Fabienne Fredrickson, in the Boldheart Business leveraged track. The strategies, mindset training, and structure she provides support me in keeping my business on track, and I don't feel alone in an encouraging community.
Learning from Fabienne and many of my mentors also helped me create a similar support structure for our members and clients–we don’t have to reinvent the wheel but rather modify it to fit our needs and style. We contribute this way to our clients so they can do the same and support their teams more effectively.
Defeating Impostor Syndrome
Finally, imposter syndrome is an insidious hindrance that saps our confidence under the guise of self-perception. Especially when you work in environments where, as a female leader, you may be "the only one in the room." This can amplify feelings of being inadequate or not good enough to contribute to the conversation, feeling regret for not sharing our ideas, leading us to sometimes act like wallpaper, which damages our visibility and career mobility in the organization.
Ultimately, imposter syndrome must be called out for what it is: a distorted reflection of our self-worth. You wouldn't be invited if you were not qualified to be in that meeting. Now that you’re in the room make yourself seen and heard as a valuable contributor. In other words…
Don’t be wallpaper.
I've slayed the imposter syndrome dragon by reminding myself of my unique value and expertise. It's essential to understand and own your unique value proposition and accomplishments, as well as understand that no one is the expert at everything. Comparison to others will rob your joy and always come out feeling “less than” or “not enough.” You’re in a league of your own. Acknowledge what you know and what you don’t know, and keep making progress–that’s the goal.
Using this healthy lens when entering a room, you can celebrate your areas of expertise and recognize others’ zones of genius without belittling yours. You will not shy away from areas where you may lack knowledge—instead, you will see them as opportunities for growth.
Moving Forward Fearlessly
So, how do we move forward amidst these challenges?
Setting the structure to address these issues systematically is key.
How can you put yourself in situations that will help you carve out the time to devote to work on your career, not only in your job?
We encourage you to find resources, coaches, mentors, and environments that support your endeavor to grow beyond your snags. That’s what we do for our members.
Whether it means signing up for professional development training that will encourage you to prioritize yourself, joining a running or walking club, for example, and looking at your day strategically, reminding yourself that you matter too.
In her Masterclass, Prepare to be Unprepared, Amy Poehler shares the #1 principle of improv, “‘Keep saying yes.’ For us in the business world, it can lead us on a path toward incredible opportunities as long as we understand our unique value and align it with the opportunity at hand.
Our career trajectory can indeed soar if we learn to manage our time effectively while prioritizing our career growth, bolstering our confidence, and shaking off imposter syndrome. Change might be uncomfortable at first, but within that discomfort, there's a chance for growth and enjoyment in the journey.
Say yes to the possibilities of your potential. Say yes to that masterclass or any other resource that resonates with you. Lastly, let’s keep reminding ourselves that we are all works in progress, and with each challenge we overcome, we're getting stronger, wiser, and more equipped to claim our rightful place at the leadership table.
If you haven’t yet, join me for the Fearless Leadership Masterclass on May 15. It's completely free and the leap of faith that could change your career trajectory.
Register now at www.FearlessLeadershipMasterclass.com.
Live with purpose, live with joy!
Coach Ginny 💕
We want to support you whenever you're ready. Visit our Events page to learn about upcoming events and programs.
DR. GINNY A. BARO, Ph.D., MBA, MS, CPC, CEO, ExecutiveBound.com, immigrated to the U.S. at age 14 with nothing more than a dream. Today, she is an award-winning international transformational speaker & leadership coach, career strategist, and #1 bestselling author of Healing Leadership and Fearless Women at Work. Named one of the Top 100 Global Thought Leaders, Dr. Baro has successfully delivered keynotes, leadership training, and coaching programs for organizations, ERGs, and Fortune 500 companies. She's been a Leadership Coach for the McKinsey & Company's Hispanic/Latino Executive Program since 2021. Leveraging over 20 years of corporate leadership experience, in 2020, Dr. Baro created the Fearless Leadership Mastermind™ to help high-potential female leaders advance and gain critical leadership skills to lead, engage, and influence their teams confidently and deliver business growth and personal well-being. She earned a Ph.D. in Information Systems, an MS in Computer Science, an MBA in Management, and a BA in Computer Science and Economics, and she is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC). To learn more, please visit www.ExecutiveBound.com.
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