Back in the early 1990’s, Madonna (aka Madonna Ciccone) was everywhere – radio, TV, concerts, talk shows, and even movies. She also published a coffee table book that garnered much attention, and although controversial, it contained some great life lessons. She has never been afraid to say what she wanted, then work very hard to make it happen. Although she is not the best singer, dancer, or actor, she is an incredibly driven and imaginative performer. She has always leveraged her talents to achieve her goals.
This powerful statement about the importance of clarity AND self-advocacy resonates as crucial to achieving personal and professional goals. Often we are afraid to state our interests. Sometimes because we are afraid we aren’t capable of achieving them, so we don’t want to try and fail. Sometimes because we fear rejection or judgement. Sometimes because we then might be held accountable by others in our life to actually rise to the occasion and achieve them.
But when we get clear about what we want AND state our intentions out loud, a wonderful thing happens. The right people align to support us to make those goals reality. The pathway to success starts to appear and the small steps we need to take become possible.
That is not a guarantee of our success, but those who remain passive or hesitant to express their needs rarely are given what they might want. This applies to asking for promotions, negotiating salaries, proposing new ideas, or receiving acknowledgment for our contributions. When we clearly express our thoughts, we eliminate the potential for misunderstandings and the assumption we aren’t interested. We can’t just wait to be tapped on the shoulder and given our heart’s desires. No one is a mind reader and “success” looks different to each of us.
There are 5 Practical Steps to Embracing Self-Advocacy:
1) Self-Reflection – identify your personal and professional desires through introspection. You have to decide what you want your end result to be BEFORE you can get to it.
2) S.M.A.R.T. Goals – create goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Specific. Follow this formula to set milestones so you can reward yourself when you get to them.
3) Communication – share your goals and needs confidently to people who will support you. Use clear and respectful language, especially when in the workplace, and you will be surprised how others will align to provide direction and chances for you to grow.
4) Feedback – just because you want something, doesn’t mean you are currently capable of achieving it. Engage with mentors and sponsors to gain insights about what you need to do next. When you ask for help, people will usually provide it. You just have to listen to what they say.
5) Action – implement steps towards your goals – even small things leading in the right direction, will help you attain what you want. Be prepared to work hard and adjust your tactics as necessary based on your experiences.
Madonna’s statement provides a compelling reminder that articulating our wants is about taking ownership of our paths and transforming our aspirations into reality – something she has done for decades and continues to do now.
Learn more about how to articulate your needs and Stand Out! for career success here…
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