It’s nice when someone provides you with a simple formula for success.
Like, E=mc2 but… specific for YOU.
If you just follow their proven steps you’ll reach all of your goals without even breaking a sweat.
This isn’t that.
Sorry.
I don’t believe in foolproof plans, the 4-hour workweek, 8-minute abs, or any “it’s so easy, even an aardvark can do it!” approach.
There are no cutting corners when it comes to consistent work. But there are things you can do to speed along success or at least ensure you’re not standing in the way of it.
I’m so sure of it, I’m going to offer you my Three-Step Accomplishment Action Plan for the low, low price of…
… absolutely nothing.
All you have to do is keep reading. (And then, you know, there’s that part about applying it… plan on at least 8 minutes a day of your 4-day workweek…)
In my years in the corporate world putting stories on the air, I heard plenty of behind-the-scenes stories from women who felt marginalized, overlooked, or otherwise thwarted in their ambition to ascend the leadership ladder.
It’s enough to make someone want to Lay Down the Ladder and climb instead for something else.
And I’d put myself in that category.
Sometimes I couldn’t get out of my own way. Sometimes I wasn’t sure of the way. Sometimes someone else’s way seemed better or easier but entirely not like… me.
And I wanted to be authentic in my ambition.
I’m sharing some of what I’ve learned about the importance of knowing what you want, what you need to get it, and why you need to keep track of your progress with these three steps.
And because I like alliteration, each of these steps begins with the letter A.
(You’ll notice it as a theme throughout, capitalized for eye-catching benefit. I Apologize in Advance if Anyone finds it Annoying…)
STEP 1: ASPIRE
What is it you truly want? Where will your Ambition lead you? What’s the Optimal Outcome? So many of us start our careers thinking success Appears one way and then never Adjusting the course to say, does this still Appeal to me? Start by Asking the question – what do I Aspire to do, feel, impact and Accomplish in my career? Who do I Aspire to be? Whom do I Admire? Rest Assured, the time spent Analyzing your wants and needs in this step provides an Advantage down the road for when you Add steps 2 and 3.
STEP 2: ASK
Have you heard that women don’t Ask? She who doesn’t Ask, doesn’t get. Once you determine your Aspirations, make sure you’re Asking for what you know you want and believe you deserve, whether it’s an opportunity, promotion, beneficial work arrangement, etc. Own your chops! Your company won’t Allocate unless you Advocate for yourself. But there’s an Appropriate way to do it so as not to Alienate your Audience. It’s Accompanying your Ask with your Achievements. That’s your demonstration of how you have Added value for your company (why you’re deserving of your Ask) and how you can Add even more value with the Allowance of your Ask. It’s the Create Value > Claim Value > Create Value model that is Advantageous to All.
It’s OK to want and ask for more. It means you know your worth and you value yourself enough to go after it.
STEP 3: ASSESS
Many of us are focused on Achieving that we fail to Acknowledge All that we are Accomplishing. So here’s your Assignment: plan on Assessing at least twice Annually, and Always in Advance of that Anxiety-provoking performance review. Align your Assessment with company goals. Acknowledge shortcomings. Adapt and Augment as necessary. Applaud yourself regularly.
What’s left to add to this 3-step plan? Time to put it into Action.
Today’s lesson is brought to you by the letter A.
For you though, my Affable, Ageless, and Awesome Audience, I’m Adjusting it to an A+.
You’ve earned it.
Valerie Gordon is a longtime storyteller and content creator, a career and communications speaker and trainer, and the founder of The Storytelling Strategist. A 10-time Emmy-winning television producer, she’s also the author of “Fire Your Narrator! A Storyteller’s Guide to Getting Out of Your Head and Into Your Life.” She’s been accused of using too much alliteration as well as ellipses…