How To Win The Second Half Of 2024

A few days ago, I caught myself thinking, “OMG, this year is basically over.”

I immediately stopped and counted. We’re six months in, but we also have 6 more months to go.

There is plenty of time to grow, learn, and do—for me in my business (I have a new program in the making) and for many of you in your career.

You can still get promoted. You can still change jobs. You can still get a raise. You can still work on your executive presence.

A lot can happen in the next six months, but the problem is that many people feel like the year is gone and stop trying.

So today, I’m sharing a practical guide to show you what actions to take and what to prioritize in the second half of this year (even if you are taking a break this summer) to absolutely crush your corporate game.

This is your reminder: when everyone zigs, you need to zag.

When the rest of the world drops the ball and gives up on their goals, you are going to become a power player.

What Can Actually Happen in 6 Months?

The short answer is a lot more than you think.

I’ve had a client who leveled up from Director to VP in 6 months. Another left a toxic workplace while getting a nice pay raise, and my brother pitched and sold his dream role to his company, and they built it for him.

It took me less than six months to go from consultant to VP and less than six months to start and make my business profitable.

All of that to say, don’t dismiss the next few months. You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve in 6 months.

(Yes, December still counts. I was hired in December twice. Don’t believe the hype that nothing happens at the end of the year)

Your Game Plan For H2

You don’t need a fancy plan or 20 hours every week to brush for the next six months. All you need is to focus on three key elements.

Here’s how you can still make 2024 your breakthrough year:

1. Hit the Reset Button!

No matter what happened since January, what you achieved or didn’t achieve, what you thought you wanted, and what reality delivered.

Let it go.

This is an opportunity for a rest.

Start now and give yourself permission to change your mind. You can renegotiate everything; nothing is lost.

Renegotiate how you spend your time.

Renegotiate your roles and responsibilities.

Renegotiate commitments and projects.

Renegotiate your own goals.

Here’s a simple way to hit the reset button:

Review where you started the year and where you are now.

Evaluate what worked and what didn’t work.

And then forgive yourself for anything that didn’t happen and let it go.

Hitting the rest button and letting go of disappointment and baggage will make you excited about the next 6 months.

Start over as if it’s January 1st and recenter around your one main goal.

Ask yourself: What would I do differently with what I know now?

And use the answer to create an action plan.

2. Invest in your personal brand

Developing your executive brand is not a nice to have. In the competitive landscape of the tech world, you simply won’t win without it.

Brand building sounds like something an influencer would do, but it’s actually a powerful tool inside the corporate world. It’s how you shape the way people see you (get sh*t done person vs. executive material) and how you create a gravitational pull that draws stakeholders, opportunities, and collaborations toward you.

If you start investing now, in 6 months, you’ll completely transform how your main stakeholders see you.

Start with an audit:

Do you know how you are perceived right now? What is specific feedback that came up?

For example, maybe you were told you are too friendly with your team (you’re not seen as an authority).

Or perhaps you should step up more in meetings (you’re not seen as strategic)

Now ask yourself: How do I want them to see me? Start taking action that aligns with this perception.

You want to be perceived as a strategic partner?

• Prepare for meetings and have 3 relevant inputs or suggestions

• Ask to join strategy meetings, even as an observant

• Learn how to present to executives to sell your ideas better (use BLUF, Bottom Line Up Front)

Want to be perceived as a decision-maker?

• Stop asking for permission. Make decisions and ask for feedback

• Take ownership and accountability, even when things go wrong

• Don’t avoid hard conversations
  

Promoting yourself is not just about sharing your work. It’s about showing up as the leader you want them to see. While your achievements make you good at your current job, your brand is what could push you to the next level.

3. Network your way to the inner circle

Most people wait to be promoted before networking with executives and leaders. They think it’s ‘above their pay grade,’ so they never try.

The secret to fast promotions? Do the opposite. Build the relationship first, so they see you as one of them… and then they’ll invite you in.

Want to know where you stand? Answer this question:

If your manager puts you up for promotion right now, can you name 3 stakeholders who will gladly support your nomination?

If the answer is no… you have some work to do.

To get started, ask yourself:

Who are the most important stakeholders that can influence my progression?

Map out those stakeholders, and for each, rate your relationship with them.

They know your name (barley) - 1

You’re on friendly terms - 2

You’ve engaged in a meaningful way - 3

Your goal is to have as many 3s on that list as possible. This is how you create a repository of goodwill with your most important stakeholders.

By the way, you don’t need to do this with 20 leaders in your organization, just the 3-5 who matter most.

6 months from now, you can have 3-5 influential stakeholders going to bat for you.

That’s how you’ll beat external and internal candidates competing for the same promotion.

Your next steps

This year is far from over. Do not fall into the trap of a mid-year slump and give up.

Instead, hit the rest button and recommit to your success.

You only need 3 simple steps to go from ignored to promotion magnet.

Do it.

I believe in you, and I’m rooting for you.

Maya ❤️