Listen, sister—we’re in the fourth quarter, and if you happen to’re dreaming of a higher-level position, now’s the time to strategically position yourself for advancement.

As black women, we regularly hear that now we have to work twice as hard to achieve half as much. But let’s flip the script: our unique perspectives, resilience and leadership skills are exactly what firms need at once.

According to McKinsey Women in the Workplace Report 2023while black women make up 7.4% of the US population, we represent only 4% of leadership positions. Despite our proven track record of leadership excellence and innovation, we proceed to face systemic barriers to growth. But the point is that we should not just statistics. We are change makers, and these strategic moves will allow you to deliver the advancement you manifest.

Document your wins and make them visible.

Let’s start with the bills. The project you ruined last quarter? A customer you retained? A team you mentored? Create a “wins document” that records your achievements, together with metrics and references. The contributions of Black women often go unnoticed in the workplace, making self-presentation crucial.

Send weekly or bi-weekly updates to your manager highlighting your achievements. This is not bragging rights – it’s strategic visibility. Think of it as creating your individual narrative in a world that always ignores our contributions.

Build your profession council.

Real talk: In corporate America, it isn’t nearly what you already know, but who knows what you already know. Research from Harvard Business Review shows that Black professionals who advance into management positions are 3.4 times more likely to have a strong network of mentors and sponsors.

Your skilled development requires a solid foundation of support. Start by finding a mentor in your organization who can guide your development. Then reach out to a sponsor – someone senior who will support you while you’re not in the room. Also cultivate relationships with colleagues in similar roles at other firms who can share industry insights. Finally, look for industry leaders who can provide a broader perspective in your profession path.

Master talking about money.

Knowing your price is important and consistent with National Women’s Law CenterBlack women face a significant wage gap, earning just 69 cents for every dollar earned by non-Hispanic white men. Before you speak about a promotion, analyze the market rates for the position you wish to work for. Use resources like horizontal.fyi and Glassdoor to gather specific data to support your salary requirements.

Estimate your impact.

Here’s the secret: speak the language of leadership. Turn your achievements into measurable results. Instead of claiming, “I managed social media,” say, “I increased our social engagement by 40% and generated $100,000 in attributable revenue through social campaigns.” The numbers tell a story that call-makers cannot ignore, and in today’s data-driven workplace, measurable success is the best advocate.

Strategic upskilling.

The path to promotion requires constant development. Identify the skills gaps between your current role and the position you wish. According to LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report94% of employees would stick with the company longer if it invested of their learning and development. Take advantage of company-sponsored training programs and earn skilled certifications. Attend industry conferences and workshops to not sleep to date with industry trends and expand your knowledge base.

Your three-month power plan.

The end of the year is fast approaching, so let’s break it down into actionable steps. In the first month, concentrate on documenting all of your wins from the previous year and scheduling meetings with key stakeholders. The second month needs to be about taking over high-visibility projects and strengthening relationships with decision-makers. Use the third month to prepare and present a promotion proposal together with a vision of the new role.

Power game.

When it is time for the interview, be prepared with a detailed presentation of your achievements. Share a clear vision for the expanded role, supported by market research on compensation. Bring specific examples of your leadership potential and the support you will have received from key stakeholders.

Remember, sister, you are not just asking for a promotion – you are giving the company a likelihood to retain top talent and profit out of your unique perspective and skills.

The end of the year is the best time for promotions as firms plan their organizational structure and budgets for the coming year. Start implementing these strategies now and do not wait for permission to lead. As Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you learn better. And when you know better, do better.”

Your seat at the table is not just about you – it’s about creating a space for other Black women to follow. So straighten your crown and get to work. Your corner office is waiting.

In August, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy published a report entitled which has raised alarm concerning the health of today’s moms and dads and the support they need to scale back rising stress levels.

“Parents have a huge impact on the health of our children and the health of society,” Murthy wrote within the guide. “But parents and caregivers face enormous pressures today, from familiar stressors such as worrying about their children’s health and safety and financial worries, to new challenges such as navigating technology and social media, the youth mental health crisis and the epidemic the loneliness that hits young people is the hardest thing. As a father of two children, I also feel this pressure.”

To take it a step further, a Pew Research Center a 2022 study found that parents worry about many issues about their children, from their mental health and skill to deal with bullies to being kidnapped or attacked. From an evaluation conducted over 10 years by American Psychological AssociationParenting stress has only increased since 2013 – in 2023, 33 percent of oldsters rated their stress levels between 8 and 10 (on a scale of 1 to 10) in comparison with 20 percent of non-parents surveyed last yr.

Parents are overworked, overwhelmed, and continuously concerned about their kid’s well-being to the purpose that their very own well-being deteriorates. As a married mother of two children under five who works full time, I can relate to this. My own stress left me unsure of the way to answer the query, “How are you?” it truthfully questions and overwhelms, it’s a continuing state of being. But I actually have adopted certain practices, with the help of my therapists and parenting experts, that help me keep my head above water; they will be step one to help you do the identical.

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Set boundaries

Whether it’s in your skilled life, your personal life, or each, knowing when to guard your space and spirit is crucial. Healthy boundaries help maintain your emotional well-being and will be so simple as giving up checking emails on the weekends, limiting your time browsing the web to prioritize rest, and easily saying no.

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02
Ask for help

While you might imagine it’s impressive to hold your whole life’s responsibilities in your back, it’s actually not healthy. As a Leo who has a tough time asking for help from individuals who won’t do something like me, I needed to let people do their best. From asking my husband to help me with responsibilities around our kids’s doctor visits, to encouraging my colleagues to tackle certain responsibilities so I can higher deal with what’s on my mind, asking for help has helped me let go of feelings of resentment and has given me I would like some room to breathe.

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Don’t comply with anything if you do not have the bandwidth

Sometimes we discover ourselves in a period where we’re really stretched. When this happens, the concept of ​​adding anything to our calendars or signing up for more responsibilities is terrible. So why did you comply with eat lunch on Saturday when what you really desired to do was compensate for some rest (and your TV shows)? Why are you considering joining the PTA? Just as there are occasions when you are full to the brim, there will be times when you will be more available. There’s no shame in being honest when you’re not on this season. Fight the urge to say yes to a different thing that you know you don’t really have enough bandwidth for.

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Lie down

A method to cope with stress? Rest. But everyone knows that making it a priority to get more sleep is simpler said than done. Bedtime payback is an actual thing for many individuals, leaving them scrolling until the wee hours of the morning because they did not have enough time for themselves throughout the day. But the results aren’t price it, and the sensation after an evening’s rest is a lot better than after an evening spent gazing the screen. Taking longer rest will help you feel refreshed and able to tackle on a regular basis tasks, and it will make you less irritable so you won’t take out your frustration on your kids, co-workers or partner.

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Release your guilt

This is something I still struggle with. In countless interviews with famous moms for the Moms at Work series, many ladies told me that balance doesn’t exist. Some days you fully meet the needs of your kids, other days you may grow to be worker of the month, and other days you could be the most attentive, romantic girlfriend or wife. But the reality is that there will be days when necessary parts of your life do not get your full attention. When you understand this and communicate your needs, you’ll feel much less guilt that your partner sometimes needs to chop themselves some slack or doesn’t get to that report you must do at work as quickly as you want. You are human and there are only 24 hours in a day. Give yourself some grace.

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Designate “me” time.

As the women say, you cannot pour from an empty cup. My time doesn’t necessarily must mean an entire day of escaping from all of your responsibilities, but every day shouldn’t feel like there is not any room in it for you. Make sure you take a while on the weekend to compensate for your recent book. Or after you put the children to bed, chill out and luxuriate in a bowl of ice cream you love digging into. Get up in front of your loved ones and exercise. Or perhaps make the most of your PTO and luxuriate in your stay while your kids are at college and doing nothing. True carefree time may not occur daily, nevertheless it must occur more often, mom.

(*7*)

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Talk to someone – or something

We all must vent. Our partners, our parents and our friends will be great shoulders to lean on when you have something to unload, but at all times be certain they’ve enough bandwidth before you unload. Even higher options include finally finding a therapist who you can continuously check in with to search out ways to manage, or a journal where you can express your innermost thoughts and feelings if you must. Because the reality is, sometimes an overwhelmed mom just must feel and be heard.