Right about now, some of you might be thinking, “Promoting myself feels so fake. That’s just not me.” I get it.
What if talking about what you do is a way to make sure others know how you can help, the value you can add, and where you want to be stretched? I have come to believe that letting others know about me is less about bragging and more about letting them know that I’m here to contribute and how.
Does it feel any different when you frame your visibility strategy as a way to let others know that you are here to contribute?
There’s more here than the external benefits that come with making your work and your vision visible, though.
- Focusing on and expressing the professional vision you hold for yourself can be much more than self-promotion.
It can be an exercise in helping you home in on and spotlight those parts of your life that matter most to you. Doing so can build your confidence in that it helps you understand your strengths, showcase them, find work that values those strengths, and understand how to have interactions that emphasize what you care to be known for.
Rooting your concrete actions in your vision — particularly your aspirational vision — energizes your work. It adds clarity and intention to your actions and choices, and from there, more power and focus toward producing desired outcomes and pointing yourself in the direction of the future you want. The vision you have for yourself is, in fact, a compelling tool for holding yourself accountable to your very highest potential.
When you know you are working in a way that aligns with the vision you hold for yourself, maintaining your composure — even under pressure — becomes more readily attainable.