Want to be considered for that next amazing opportunity? Here is why it’s always important to make your aspirations known!

**Article edited 20th May 2020 **

I want to ask you a question.

Have you ever felt upset, disgruntled or undervalued because you weren’t considered for something? It might have been a job opportunity, a promotion, a stretch task or project, or even just to get involved in something outside of your usual fold?

Now…. I want you to think of these examples and reflect on whether you had ever made it known previously to anyone that you were interested in job opportunity “a”, or that you wanted to be considered for promotion “b”, or, that you were interested in being given the chance to take on more work in example “c”?

I often speak to people who are upset or disgruntled by the fact that they haven’t been offered, handed even, a particular opportunity. Yet, when I ask them if they have ever mentioned their interest in said opportunity, whether they had ever voiced it to their manager, a colleague, or even a friend – the answer is often a resounding NO.

Often, it is as if the expectation is on others to read the mind of this person and their unique ambitions, aspirations or areas they **might** want to get involved in that are outside their norm.

This is what I then often see happen.  The person who feels they were passed over or ignored for an opportunity becomes progressively more and more resentful, unhappy or disgruntled – at this point still not having said anything about their interest in one of the examples provided above, but expect still that their manager, colleagues, or friends should just know.

Am I suggesting that managers don’t own some responsibility for understanding and appreciating the unique aspirations and development goals of their people? Absolutely not. And if you’re curious about my thoughts on what makes a good leader, then you should see this list in my recent blog post about that they don’t tell you before you become a manager, but what you NEED to consider. CLICK HERE. 

But, peeps – this isn’t enough. Leaving your goals and dreams in the hands completely of others is not the answer. It gives you a scapegoat. It gives you someone to blame when those dreams don’t come true. When YOUR dreams don’t come true. And it gives you a reason to be unhappy or become resentful.

It is so important to your own success that you put yourself out there when it comes to your goals and aspirations.

It is critical that you have conversations with people about where you want to go and what you want to achieve in your career. Or, if you don’t know what this is, it is just as important that you have those conversations too. Why? Because then you can be kept in mind for opportunities to try new things.

Am I saying that by making your goals and aspirations known that the next time a promotion opportunity comes around, it will be yours on a platter? No, I am not. But, I am saying that by putting yourself out there you are in great stead for that opportunity, or atleast will gain valuable feedback and development advice on what you need to do to try and attain that opportunity, which you may not have had if you had not made your goals known.

YOU are the only one in control of your life.

Your career. Your path. Although your manager, your colleagues and your friends play a part in your life, they are not responsible for what you achieve.

Do you need clarity over what your goals and dreams are?  Have you considered what career path you want? Where you want to go or how to get there, either professionally or personally? Maybe you need a discovery session to start to distil some of your mental clutter.