Christian Career Coach: Advocating for Yourself: Make It a Habit in 2025

As we step into 2025, it’s time to embrace a powerful habit that can transform your career and life: advocating for yourself. The days of passively waiting for someone else to recognize your potential or put in a good word on your behalf need to end. While there may be a few people in your corner, the reality is that no one will consistently look out for your interests the way you can.

Why Self-Advocacy Matters

In today’s workplace, opportunities don’t just fall into your lap. Decisions about promotions, raises, or new roles are often influenced by how well you communicate your value. Managers are busy juggling their own responsibilities and teams, and they might not always notice your contributions unless you make them known. Advocating for yourself ensures that your hard work gets the recognition it deserves.

Self-advocacy isn’t about arrogance; it’s about confidence and clarity. It’s about stating your goals, showcasing your achievements, and ensuring that your career aspirations align with the opportunities available.

Steps to Become Your Own Best Advocate

1. Know Your Value
   Start by understanding the unique value you bring to the table. What skills, experiences, or accomplishments set you apart? Keep a running list of your achievements, especially those that have measurable results. For example, did you increase sales, streamline processes, or lead a successful project? Quantify your impact wherever possible.

2. Set Clear Goals
   Define what you want from your career. Are you aiming for a promotion, a raise, or a lateral move into a new department? Having a clear vision of your goals will help you craft your message and advocate for what you want.

3. Speak Up About Your Achievements
   Don’t wait for your annual review to highlight your successes. Share them regularly in team meetings, one-on-ones with your manager, or even in casual conversations with colleagues. For example, “I’m proud of how the new system I implemented reduced processing time by 30% this quarter.” This keeps your contributions top of mind.

4. Ask for Feedback
   Proactively seek feedback to understand how others perceive your performance and where you can improve. Use this as an opportunity to align your efforts with organizational goals and showcase your dedication to growth.

5. Build Relationships
   Networking isn’t just for landing a new job; it’s also vital within your current organization. Build strong relationships with peers, mentors, and leaders who can champion your efforts and provide guidance.

6. Practice Self-Advocacy Outside of Work
   The skills you build in advocating for yourself professionally can extend to other areas of your life. Whether it’s negotiating a better deal, setting boundaries, or standing up for your personal needs, practicing self-advocacy holistically will make you more confident.

Overcoming the Fear of Self-Promotion

Many people hesitate to advocate for themselves because they worry about appearing boastful or self-centered. But there’s a difference between sharing your value and bragging. Approach self-advocacy with humility and focus on the impact of your work rather than just the effort. For example, instead of saying, “I worked so hard on this project,” frame it as, “This project resulted in a 20% efficiency boost for the team.”

Another common fear is rejection. It’s important to remember that advocating for yourself won’t always result in a “yes,” but each attempt builds your confidence and sets a precedent that you are someone who values their contributions.

Making Self-Advocacy a Habit

To make self-advocacy second nature, set aside time regularly to reflect on your achievements and assess your goals. Consider scheduling a monthly check-in with yourself: “What did I accomplish this month? How can I communicate these successes to others?”

You can also create a "wins" folder to document your accomplishments. This serves as a confidence booster when you’re preparing for a meeting, asking for a raise, or updating your resume.

Final Thoughts

In 2025, let’s stop waiting for others to recognize our worth and start taking charge of our own narratives. Advocating for yourself isn’t just a skill; it’s a commitment to your growth and success.

Be intentional, be confident, and make it a habit to champion your own cause. You deserve it.