Written by: Melissa Stone, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Too often, female professionals face a myriad of unnecessary challenges as they navigate their careers. Turned down unfairly for promotion opportunities, refused well-deserved pay increases, and unsure of what else to do, the overwhelming feeling of wanting to escape an unhappy and unfulfilling career can lead even the most talented female professional to internally screaming “get me out of here”, while typing “jobs near me” on a google search.
There is a better way.
If you find yourself at a crossroads, it’s time to initiate "The Power Play" and take control of your trajectory with these 5 Simple Steps for Career Success:
1. Build your confidence brick by brick
As every empowered female professional knows, career success does not necessarily mean being the smartest, the most skilled, the most qualified, or the most talented. Instead, it boils down to your self-belief.
“Whether you think you can do something, or think you can’t, either way you are right” Henry Ford
If you want to find success in your career, you’ve got to build a success mindset.
Start by acknowledging and celebrating your achievements, recognizing the value of your skills and contributions. Create a "confidence journal" where you document instances of overcoming challenges, successful projects, and personal victories.
Embrace the power of positive affirmations tailored to your unique journey. Repeating phrases like "I am a competent and influential professional" can reshape your mindset and reinforce a positive self-image.
2. Set your goals… and trust in your abilities to achieve these
Goal setting is 50% getting clear on what you want to achieve, and 50% trusting in your ability to achieve it.
Begin by setting clear, attainable objectives that align with your aspirations and vision for the future. Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks, creating a roadmap for success.
Next, create your List of Evidence.
This is a list that supports your ability to achieve these objectives – whether it’s qualifications you hold, experience or exposure you have built over the years, the knowledge and expertise required to get you there, or natural skills and strengths. The key here is to examine what you want to achieve, and provide good reasoning as to why you can, and will, achieve it.
If self-doubt creeps in, you’ll need to break that habit of listening to an unhelpful, critical inner voice. Review your List of Evidence. Remind yourself how capable, knowledgeable, and experienced you are. Refuse to give in to that voice that suppresses your dreams.
Finally, visualize your goals as already achieved, fostering a mindset that bolsters your self-confidence.
3. Recognise the role of female empowerment in career growth
Navigating successful female career growth often involves breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and championing female empowerment. Take pride in your unique perspective and contributions and feel empowered to lend your voice to supporting others.
Surrounding yourself with a supportive network that recognizes and appreciates your capabilities, will help you to better value your worth, and refuse to tolerate less than what you deserve in your career.
We all get what we are willing to tolerate in life. When we are no longer willing to tolerate something, we get something different" Tony Robbins
Take Emily for example. She was a Senior Operations Manager in an Engineering Firm, who felt stifled at work, with no real opportunities to progress as a female in a very male dominated sector. She felt frustrated with her untapped potential and wanted to do something about it.
Emily sought support from a Female Engineering Network. Here she met a mentor who had navigated similar professional landscapes, giving Emily an opportunity to gain insights and share experiences.
The Network offered Emily an opportunity to gain valuable advice on overcoming the obstacles she faced. Acting as a powerful catalyst for personal and professional growth, she transformed her career, landing her dream job in an organisation that was passionate about gender diversity and creating an inclusive environment where everyone could thrive.
4. Knowing when to move on
In taking control of your career success, it’s important to recognise when it's time to move on from an unfulfilling job. If your current role stifles your growth and fails to align with your professional goals and vision for the future, it may be time for a change.
This article will help you to recognise red flags for a career change: see here.
Embrace the courage to seek new opportunities that better align with your passions and aspirations, and with your List of Evidence, refuse to tolerate less than what you want.
5. Embracing transformative change
The last step is embracing the transformative change in your personal and professional life. This means:
Letting go of any blocks to success – whether these are mindset blocks or fears that have been holding you back, an employer that stifles your growth, or a network of people surrounding you that fail to encourage and accept your talent or capabilities. Now is the time to refuse to tolerate less than what you want and let go of anything that doesn’t align to your vision of success.
Recognising your worth in the market – speak to recruitment consultants, review sites like Glassdoor, and consider job ads online that advertise salaries in your field of expertise. Understand what you could be earning if you chose to work somewhere else. Get clear on a realistic pay grade you might expect and the type of opportunities that exist for you.
Clarify Your Goals – make sure you are clear on exactly what you want to achieve, and if you are struggling to connect the dots and find clarity in your career path, consider engaging a Career Coach, an Executive Coach, or a Mentor to support you.
Conclusion
The Female Power Play: 5 Steps to Achieving Career Success isn't just a guide; it's a transformative journey toward bolstering self-confidence, trusting in your abilities, and refusing to accept less than what you want in your career.
Stand tall in your unique talent and ability, recognise your potential, and embrace the courage to pursue the fulfilling career you deserve.
Melissa Stone, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Melissa Stone is an Irish Career Coach and leading HR Consultant with a passion for empowering individuals and organisations. Driven by a desire to make a significant impact, Melissa transitioned from her role as a Global HR Director to establishing her own career coaching and consulting firm. Her unique approach combines positive psychology and insights with practical strategies, guiding clients to achieving the level of success they want and deserve.
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