Climbing up the Corporate Ladder.

How would you feel to achieve lesser than your potential? To let others have their graphs scaling and yours reaching a plateau?

If you feel great - then tune in Netflix, get some popcorn and Coke and spend the day away.

If not, then continue on this journey of 'scaling up' with me.

At some points in our life, we are all guilty of being envious towards our colleague who got recognized for their comparatively insignificant work, while we hustled innumerable hours to get the project successful which was left unrecognized by the management.

The feelings are okay, how you deal with them is the game-changer.

Instead of barging yourself with self-deprecating comments while you have a teeny breakdown in the washroom, take a deep breath, and apply the strategies that I gift you today.

And why would I assist you in this?

Because I can see your eyes that sparkle with raw talent and innovation. I want you to go out in this massively inviting (yes!) world and leave your own impact.

1. Understanding your Self-Worth

You will be loved and respected, only if you love and respect yourself.

I cannot stress how essential it is for you to learn to appreciate yourself. Goodness gracious, if I would be around you then I would love to yell at you in your face that "YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO FOLLOW THE FOOT-PRINTS OF ANY OF YOUR COLLEAGUE"

Learning to value yourself, inevitably paves the way to others valuing you, and ultimately your work. If you feel miserable about yourself, chances are, your department too feels the same about you.

There are several resources (humongous in number), that allow you to improvize the way you think about yourself, without even spending a penny. Just google it!

Since, I could not end this bullet point without letting you know that:

i. You are remarkable!

ii. You have no limitations other than the ones you impose on yourself.

iii. You are absolutely capable of achieving anything in the world. (Oh yes, your favorite Lamborghini too!)

iv. You can technically process information faster than any computer on this planet. (Thank goodness for that!)

2. Elevating your 'difficult conversation' game

Take a moment to reckon your past experiences. You will realize that there are no 'tricky' conversations. Rather, they are just 'conversations managed right' and 'conversation turned wrong'.

Leading conversations just the way you want is not an art, it is science. There are accurate time-tested steps that help you do so.

Firstly, STOP BEATING AROUND THE BUSH. No one happens to like having their time wasted in an environment where time is the most precious commodity. Get to the point, darling.

Secondly, leave your fears outside the room. Trust me, none of your mentally imagined fears are going to manifest themselves. Instead, entering the room with at least 'fake' confidence, portrays a better image in front of your listener. No one sees your fear as much as you do.

Thirdly, communicate as directly and factually as possible. Didn't get the pay-rise when you deserved it and when it really mattered? Take your annual performance tracker (or its equivalent) and explain your stance. The worst-case scenario is that they would refuse you. But, remember that you've been spotted by their eyes and are no longer the 'unrecognized' employee.

3. Being the 'Wizard' of Ideas

Thoughts are the ladder to the greatest business plan ever generated. But has anyone made real revenue out of mere thoughts?

Yeah. Let that sink it.

Instead of disregarding your thoughts as 'too naive' or 'too unfeasible', take some time to ponder on it, and analyze why you think that this thought might not work. Dig a little deeper, spend a little more mental energy. A little energy usage might translate into a bigger promotion this year.

When you learn to analyze your thoughts with an eagle eye approach, you have not just become a better storehouse of ideas, but, you also tend to get better at processing things. When you develop processing skills, you are more likely to produce a rational idea in the next meeting and impressing your seniors.

Getting as detailed with your thoughts allows them to turn into feasible ideas. And, a person with an unlimited supply of right ideas, seldom fails.

4. Committing with Consistency

"This project could be a blockbuster, only if the board sanctions funds to it."' "My boat is smooth sailing" "I will try to make it happen."

Uncountable people in corporate jobs waste their valuable time because of their lack of commitment.Your mental attitude towards work is evident in your actions. Consequently, your actions speak to the company.

You tend to create this loop of self-sabotage by preventing yourself from completely delving into the project at hand. You work as if you are just a 9 to 5 employee and nothing else. When you do this, you are perceived as just another mediocre employee.

Learn to develop a sincere interest in your work. Ask yourself questions about what is required to make it a success. Give in extra hours of research to polish your project. Juggle extra hours, skip lunch breaks. Do whatever you can to enhance your work.

If this feels like a chore to you, why have you read this article so far?

Heard that little optimistic voice inside you who wishes to conquer the peak? Do for it.

5. Leaving your mark

Do NOT commit the mistake of 'fitting in' by following the norms, activities, work-ethics, and behaviors of the most-popular employees in your office.

You will struggle in two ways:

i. You will be labeled as an imposter, a copy-cat.

ii. You will lose your own shine.

The most important asset that you possess is your unique ability. It might manifest in a way where you have a mind for numbers, a fluency in acquiring that customer or excelling in creating insightful spreadsheets. Whatever your skill-set may be, do not try to diminish it by comparing it with others.

If you are the one who is thinking "but darling, I do not have any skills." You are wrong. You have one, probably ten. But you haven't discovered them yet. So, the next time, use the same energy that you spend in envy and comparison, to figure out what you are truly good at.

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Final Note:

You can lead an extraordinary life, being the North star of your workplace. You can succeed and climb up the corporate ladder. You can excite your life with broad horizons and fulfilling experiences.

By understanding your self-worth, managing difficult conversations, generating worthy ideas, committing your best-self at work, and being resolute about leaving your own impact, you can grasp that aspiration of elevating up the corporate ladder.

Go You!