3 things I wish I’d known before accepting a promotion 🤝🏽 💼

Congratulations! You’ve just been offered a promotion.

On one hand, you’re comfortable in your current role and feel like you’re hitting your stride. On the other, a promotion could bring new challenges, exciting opportunities, and a bigger paycheck.

Before you decide, here are a few things I wish I'd known before accepting my promotion.

Let's get this out of the way — you don't have to accept a promotion.

It's easy to feel pressured to accept, but only you can decide if it aligns with your goals and the direction you want your career to go in.

If you decide it's not for you, that's perfectly fine. Just make sure you're saying no for the right reasons.

Ask yourself:

• Do I really want this job?

• Does it fit with my career plans?

• Am I ready to take on more responsibility?

I can admit it now: I hated the first six months in my new role.

My work-life balance completely changed after being promoted. I felt like I was constantly playing catch-up, juggling new responsibilities, and learning things on the fly.

Weekends? Forget about them — I was too busy trying to keep my head above water.

I also struggled with imposter syndrome.

Even though I knew I'd earned that promotion through hard work, the gaps in my knowledge made me feel like I didn’t deserve it.

It's easier said than done, but try not to be so hard on yourself!

There are many reasons why people quit after being promoted but feeling burned out is one of the main ones.

So, what can you do when you start to feel overwhelmed?

Ask for help, of course!

As hard as it may seem, there are steps you can take if you start to feel overwhelmed in your new role:

• Ask for help from your team members and (if possible) delegate urgent but less important tasks to someone else.

• Share your concerns with your supervisor. A good manager will offer you the support, guidance, and resources you need to feel happy and productive.

• Set aside time for self-care, whether that means listening to your favorite podcast, trying a new dessert, or just going for a walk in the park.

Sarah recently accepted a promotion to team lead at her company. The new responsibilities are piling up quickly, and she’s struggling to keep up with the increased workload. She’s feeling overwhelmed, unsure if she can handle everything on her own, and is starting to doubt her abilities.

What can Sarah do to feel less overwhelmed?

A. Keep working late into the night to finish everything herself.

B. Reach out to her supervisor and ask for guidance.

C. Avoid asking for help, as it may make her seem incompetent.

D. Take on even more tasks to prove she can handle the role.

Before you accept a promotion, be prepared for what you're getting into and know the tools that are available if you feel like you're struggling.

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