Rise & Shine: The worst place to be next year? Right where you are now.

Everyone's making resolutions. Meanwhile, the promoted are making moves.

While your colleagues are writing vision boards and posting "New Year, New Me" updates, the strategic professionals are already in conversations. They're updating their LinkedIn. They're reaching out to decision-makers. They're positioning themselves for Q1 opportunities.

January 1st isn't magical. Your career won't transform because the calendar flipped.

But you know what IS powerful? Using this week—while everyone else is trying to get back into the swing of things—to get crystal clear on your next move and start executing.

Because here's what I've learned after coaching dozens of mid-career professionals: The difference between those who get promoted and those who stay stuck isn't talent. It's timing and intentionality.

You Don't Get Promoted for Doing Your Job

People get promoted for doing more than what the job requires—in ways that other people can see, understand, and trust.

I wish I had a $1 for every time I heard someone say, “Why should I do the work outside my role if I’m not getting paid for it?” (That is thinking SMALL!)

I spent years thinking promotions were simple: Work hard. Be reliable. Stay out of trouble. Someone will eventually tap you on the shoulder and say, "It's your time."

That day never came.

Not because I wasn't good enough. Not because I lacked experience. But because the things I thought mattered weren't the things leadership used to make promotion decisions.

Here's what actually gets you promoted (whether internal or external):

1. Stop Being Invisible

The Problem: You're doing the work, but no one knows the impact.

Most professionals think: "I don't want to brag. My work should speak for itself."

Except your work DOESN’T speak English.

If you're not explaining WHAT you did, WHY it mattered, and WHAT improved because of YOU—leadership has no data to advocate for you.

The Fix: Start the Weekly Win Email

Every Friday, send your manager a brief update:

• What I accomplished this week

• The measurable impact (numbers matter)

• What it means for the team/company

• What I'm tackling next week

This isn't bragging. It's clarity. And leaders love clarity.

2. Act Like You Already Have the Title

The Problem: You're waiting for permission to lead.

Leaders don't wait for titles to start acting like leaders. But many high-performers get stuck because they stay quiet in meetings, wait to be invited, and follow directions instead of influencing them.

The Fix: The "Next Level" Audit

Ask yourself every week: "If I already had the title I want—what would I do differently?"

Then start doing that:

• Speak up in meetings with solutions, not just problems

• Volunteer for high-visibility projects

• Mentor someone (even informally)

• Think strategically, not just tactically

Promotions happen when your actions outgrow your title.

3. Build Your Coalition

The Problem: You don't build trust outside your direct manager.

Big promotions require more than one person saying "yes." If senior leaders don't know you, don't understand your strengths, and can't connect your name to your value—you won't move up.

The Fix: The Strategic Coffee Strategy

Schedule one coffee chat per month with someone outside your immediate team:

• Ask about their biggest challenges

• Share relevant insights from your work

• Offer to help (and follow through)

• Stay on their radar with occasional updates

Your reputation is built in the rooms you're not in.

This creates advocates when it comes time to promotion alignment discussions. 

Instead of them saying, “Alyssa who?”

They’ll be saying, “Alyssa has already been performing at that level. 100% agree!”

4. Have the Conversation (With Data)

The Problem: You haven't communicated your career goals clearly.

A shocking number of professionals never say: "I want to grow. I want more responsibility. I want a path to [specific role]."

Assumptions will hold you back more than lack of skill ever will.

The Fix: The Promotion Roadmap Conversation

Schedule time with your manager THIS MONTH and say:

"I'm committed to growing here. I'd like to understand what it takes to move to [specific next level]. Can we create a roadmap together?"

Then:

• Get specific criteria in writing

• Set quarterly or monthly check-ins

• Document your progress against each criterion

• Present your case with data when ready

Your 3-Before-Q1 Ends Action Plan

Stop waiting for the perfect moment. Here are three moves to make before Q1 ends:

Move 1: Update Your Visibility (By Jan 10)

• Refresh your LinkedIn with recent wins

• Start your weekly win emails

• Schedule your first strategic coffee chat

Move 2: Define Your Target (By Jan 17)

• Identify the exact role/level you want

• Research what that role requires

• Start demonstrating those capabilities now

Move 3: Start the Conversation (By Jan 31)

• Book time with your manager

• Present your career goals clearly

• Get your promotion roadmap in writing

• If you are realizing the move is external, start networking with those who can help.

The Bottom Line

The worst place to be next January is exactly where you are right now. Not because there's anything wrong with where you are—but because you're capable of so much more.

While everyone else is making resolutions they'll break by February, you're going to make decisions. Real ones. The kind that changes trajectories.

Your promotion isn't going to happen TO you. It's going to happen BECAUSE of you.

Stop waiting. Start building. Make 2026 the year you finally get what you've earned.

Ready to make your move? Hit reply and tell me: What's the ONE thing holding you back from your next level? I read every response.

Let’s Rise Together,

💛 Alyssa

P.S. - Two of my clients landed Director roles with $30K+ raises using these exact strategies. They started while everyone else was "waiting for the new year." Don't wait. Your competition isn't.

P.P.S. - Want my Promotion Roadmap template? You can find it here. It's the exact framework I used to land my Director title and what my clients use to negotiate their promotions.

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Thanks for reading Rise & Shine by Rise Up Career Coaching.

I share real talk about getting promoted, nailing interviews, navigating the job search, negotiating like a boss, and building the career confidence you deserve. The corporate game is rigged. Let me teach you how to win it anyway.

Most mid-career professionals are stuck playing by rules that no longer apply. You're exceeding expectations but getting passed over. Working harder but earning less. Waiting for permission that's never coming.

I'm here to change that.

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ALYSSA BAILEY is a Certified Career Coach who helps mid-level professionals stop waiting and start winning. After 15+ years in corporate, I cracked the code on getting promoted without playing politics. Now I teach professionals my proven frameworks to:

• Land promotions in 90 days

• Negotiate $20-50k salary bumps (over $150k negotiated for clients)

• Transform from overlooked to undeniable

• Build careers on their terms, not their boss's timeline

Ready to stop being the best-kept secret at your company? Let's make your next move. Contact me today.

P.S. - Still waiting for the "right time" to make your move? That's exactly what your competition is hoping you'll do.