Being promoted is a huge accomplishment, but it can also be scary, because you will need to take on new responsibilities. You can reduce anxiety by being prepared. This could involve speaking with colleagues in the same position as you or researching the new job online. A friend or colleague may be able to help you if they have been through a similar promotion.
Fear of being the next kid on the block
For some people, fear of becoming the new kid on town can be very worrying. New jobs aren’t as terrible as we think they are. Instead of being overwhelmed by fear, see it as an opportunity. Try joining new clubs and groups outside of your workplace. By doing so, you will practice meeting new people, a skill that will come in handy when it comes to job promotion.
Prepare. This is the best way for you to get past your fear of becoming the new kid on campus when you're promoted. Do your research. Ask your colleagues who are in the exact same situation as you or search online. You'll get an idea of what your new job will entail.
Fear of not knowing where you are
One of the most common fears people have when doing a promotion is the fear of not knowing what they're doing. Although this is normal, it should not stop you from trying. You may be more prepared that you realize. Don't let your fear stop or limit you from doing what's right for you. Research the job you are going to be taking on in order to overcome your fears. Talking with others in the same role will help you gain insight into different aspects of the new job.
You might find it beneficial to have a conversation with someone else who isn’t working in the same environment. This person can provide you with a perspective on how to overcome your fears. Reflecting on your accomplishments is also helpful. It's important that you remember that you worked hard to get to this point.
Fear of being the next boss
Fear of being the boss is a common fear. Leaders are faced with many challenges and must make tough decisions. They also must learn to define themselves and manage unspoken expectations. Some new leaders jump into action right away, but most people experience a period of anxiety and uncertainty. It can be difficult, but it can also be rewarding.
To cope with your anxiety, try to prepare yourself as much as possible. Talk to colleagues who are in the exact same position as yours about the new role. You can also research the job online.
Identifying your strengths and your challenges
Clearly describing your strengths, and weaknesses, is essential when applying for a promotion. This will help to distinguish you from other candidates. Your strengths could include your teamwork, project management skills, or verbal communication and presentation skills. Your weaknesses could include poor listening or disorganization.
Your strengths are those things that you company does exceptionally well. These could be tangible, such as brand attributes, or concrete, such as your unique selling proposition. They could also be people-related, such as strong leadership or an exceptional engineering team. The other side of the coin is that your problems could be organizational challenges or financial limitations.
Development of an alter ego or persona
For many reasons, creating a persona/alter ego can be very useful. It can give you perspective and help you look at problems from a different angle. To reach your career goals you can also use your alter self. To help you get promoted or if you feel anxious, you can portray the persona you want.
You can create many personas. Once you have chosen the best one, you can choose to use it. Your persona can be fictional character, a super hero or another. Or it could be an alter-ego of a character you like from a book or series. You might be exposed to a different side or part of yourself.