Looking at promotion from a slightly homoerotic angle, as Fridays do, one can see that promotion is often simply a matter of rewarding hard work with even more work.
When we talk about promotion, it could mean more meaning, freedom and joy. But often, promotion means more influence and therefore more responsibility, more meetings, more tedious jumping from topic to topic, more stress, more power games and fewer good nights….
… and less about yourself and peace.
To ensure that this promotion is a truly restful one, rather than the quiet beginning of a tiring, burn-out journey, here are three practical suggestions:
💡 1. For every new “yes” there needs to be at least one old “no”.
Perhaps in accepting something you have to consciously let go of something. Very often this is difficult when moving from a specialist to a manager – not wanting to let go of that specialist role. Micromanaging, overworking, putting out fires, a successful specialist becomes a mediocre manager.
💡 2. Ask yourself: “What does this role mean to me? How do I want to wear it? How does it bring me closer to my inner peace?”
Because if you don’t create boundaries, someone else will.
💡 3. Schedule breathing space in your calendar right away and don’t do any overtime.
It’s not only the commitments that need space in your calendar, but also the person who fulfils them – you. If you don’t have time for that, go back to point number 1.
👉 A promotion doesn’t have to mean that you disappear into a role and do even more overtime instead of the overtime you’ve been doing. It can also be a moment where you come more into place – for yourself – and achieve greater inner peace.
And it is TRUTH, not HONOUR. Happiness is an active emotion and will tire you out at some point, peace is neutral and balancing.
