The 4 Mindsets You Need to Get Promoted This Year

Landing a promotion is about more than just working hard or meeting performance metrics — it’s about having the right mindset. Your thoughts shape your actions, and your actions create your results.

In this post I’ll walk you through the 4 mindsets to get promoted this year, I also share three common mindset roadblocks that could be holding you back and actionable strategies to help you take control of your career trajectory.

Three Common Mindset Roadblocks

Before we dive into the mindsets you need, let’s address three common mindset roadblocks that might be keeping you stuck:

1 – Believing Companies Aren’t Hiring: Fear of the economy often leads people to think there are no opportunities available.

This mindset leads to inaction, missed chances, and settling for lower-paying roles. But the truth is, companies are hiring — you just need to adapt your approach.

2 – Burnout from the Job Search: If you’ve been trying to get promoted for years, burnout is a real challenge.

The thought of “customizing” every application or finding time to network can feel overwhelming. However, job searching doesn’t have to be exhausting when you focus on high-impact activities and realistic goals.

3 – Doubting God’s Plan: For faith-driven professional women, indecision often stems from wondering if a specific job aligns with God’s purpose for their lives. I’ve certainly struggled with this 😒

This doubt can lead to staying stuck, keeping you from taking any action at all. Remember, God equips you for every season, and aligning your ambitions with faith allows you to move forward with confidence.

When you identify these roadblocks, you can start to shift your mindset and take intentional steps toward your promotion.

Now let’s get into the mindsets you actually need to get promoted this year.

Four Mindsets to Get Promoted This Year

Now that we’ve addressed the common roadblocks, let’s shift our focus to the mindsets you need to embrace for career success. These four mindsets will help you overcome obstacles and take actionable steps toward landing your next promotion.

Mindset 1. The Job Market Is Different, So I’ll Change My Approach

The job market is not static—it evolves constantly, and your strategies need to evolve with it. Gone are the days of sending out hundreds of generic applications and waiting for callbacks. Today, success in the job market requires a focused, quality-over-quantity approach.

Why This Mindset Matters

Many women mistakenly believe that companies aren’t hiring right now due to economic uncertainties and all the noise on social media. This fear often leads to not taking any action at all (which keeps you stuck) or settling for less than you deserve (which keeps you unhappy). However, the truth is that organizations are always hiring; the key is to adapt your approach to meet the current demands.

Actionable Tips:

Tailor Your Applications: Use targeted resumes and cover letters to highlight your fit for specific roles. In my one-on-one coaching partnership, Next Level Career, I guide my clients through the TARGET Resume Framework to create resumes that showcase their value and impact so they can land higher-paying roles.

Network Strategically: You might not know this, but 60% of jobs are never posted publicly on a job board. This means if you’re only relying on job boards to land your higher-level job, you’re missing out on A LOT of opportunities.

Start having conversations with mentors, colleagues, and industry professionals. For example, one of my clients landed her dream role — with a $13,000 salary increase — by simply reconnecting with a former mentor who introduced her to an unadvertised opportunity.

You need this mindset to get promoted. By embracing the mindset that the market is different and adjusting your strategies accordingly, you’ll position yourself as a strong candidate for higher-level roles.

Mindset 2. I Can Job Search Without Burning Out

If you’ve been trying to get promoted for years, it’s natural to feel burnt out. But here’s the good news: job searching doesn’t have to drain you. So, the second mindset to get promoted is remembering that you can search for a job and land your higher-level job without burning out.

When you create a clear plan you can follow, focus on high-impact activities, and set realistic goals, you can advance your career without sacrificing your well-being.

Why This Mindset Matters

Burnout often stems from spreading yourself too thin — juggling a demanding job, family responsibilities, and an endless list of job applications. This approach leads to rushed applications, missed opportunities, and mounting frustration.

Actionable Tips:

Create a Peaceful Schedule: My PEACE Schedule involves prioritizing job search activities like searching for roles, applying, networking, and upskilling. Block time in your calendar for these tasks to stay organized and reduce stress.

Reduce Overcommitment: If you’re planning to leave your current role, scale back your effort to about 70% of your capacity. This frees up energy to focus on your job search while still maintaining professionalism.

When you approach your job search with intention and structure, you’ll find it easier to stay motivated and avoid burnout.

Mindset 3. My Career Is an Avenue to Live Out My Purpose

As a faith-driven professional woman, you need this mindset to get promoted: recognizing that ambition is okay. It’s common to wonder if your ambition aligns with your values. The truth is, your career is not your purpose — it’s a pathway to live out your purpose. Embracing this mindset allows you to pursue higher-level roles with confidence, knowing that you can glorify God through your work.

Why This Mindset Matters

Doubting whether your career ambitions align with your faith can lead to indecision and missed opportunities. However, advancing into a higher-level role provides a platform for greater impact and influence.

Actionable Tips:

Align Ambition with Faith: Reflect on how stepping into a leadership role can enable you to lead with integrity, compassion, and love — values that align with a Kingdom-focused mindset.

Shift Your Perspective: Instead of viewing ambition as selfish, consider it a way to bless others through your influence and financial resources. Higher salaries can support missions, charitable work, churches, and other forms of Kingdom impact.

When you see your career as an avenue for purpose, you’ll approach promotions with clarity and courage.

Mindset 4. My Actions Shape My Outcomes

The most critical mindset to get promoted is understanding that your actions — or lack thereof — directly shape your outcomes. Waiting for the perfect moment or fearing the wrong decision often leads to paralysis. The key is to take decisive action.

Why This Mindset Matters

Indecision and perfectionism are two of the biggest barriers to career advancement. Whether it’s updating your resume, applying for roles, or preparing for interviews, action creates momentum and clarity.

Actionable Tips:

Adopt the MOVE Model: My MOVE Model for decisive action is something I teach my clients that allows you to move from indecision to action. It stands for:

• Make a Decision: Identify the next step you need to take and commit to moving forward, even if it’s not perfect. Figure out what fears are holding you back.
• Own the Outcome: Take responsibility for the results of your decision, whether they align with your expectations or not.
• Validate with Data: Assess the results of your decision by gathering feedback and insights to understand its impact.
• Evaluate and Adjust: Use the information you’ve gathered to refine your approach and make improvements as needed.

Trust the Process: Remember, no decision is permanent. Each step provides data to refine your approach. For example, applying for a role and receiving feedback — even if it’s not an offer — helps you improve for the next opportunity.

By committing to action, you’ll move closer to your goals and unlock new opportunities.

Final Thoughts

The path to promotion starts with your mindset. By identifying common roadblocks, adapting your approach to the job market, preventing burnout, aligning your career with your purpose, and taking decisive action, you’ll set yourself up for success this year.

If you’re ready to fast-track your career growth, my Next Level Career coaching partnership can provide the personalized strategies, tools, and support you need to advance with faith and confidence. Click here to book a sales call and learn more about how I will help you land your higher-paying, higher-impact role with faith and confidence.

Commit to these four mindsets to get promoted for a few months, and watch yourself move closer to your next-level job this year.