How do you advocate for yourself? Not on behalf of your kids, partner, team, or friends, but just for you? 

I started asking myself these questions a few years ago after I realized nearly all the stories I heard about women speaking up and advocating for the first time had one thing in common: They were doing it on behalf of other people. They set boundaries with family members on behalf of their kids. Advocated for better work-life balance for their teams. Fought their school district for better resources for their child with special needs. Spoke up against injustices for a colleague. Went to bat for a pay increase for a direct report. This is all good. PLEASE advocate for your teams, kids, colleagues, and friends. 

But it made me think...where are the stories of women advocating for THEMSELVES? Because you also get to advocate for yourself. Just for you. On behalf of nobody. You get to say no and set a boundary for your own wellbeing. You get to negotiate a pay raise just for yourself. You get to tell someone what is and is not okay with you JUST FOR YOU. 

In today's episode we're going to dive deeper into all of this and more, including:

• How the rules women are taught about being likable and agreeable get in the way of advocating for ourselves
• The place I recently stood up and advocated for myself after being agreeable for a LONG time - and the very entertaining reaction I got!
• Four steps to start advocating for yourself today

Links:

• Learn more about hiring Heather to speak at your organization
• Join Heather's email list and get The Ultimate Guide To Saying No
• Get Heather's book, An Overachiever's Guide To Breaking The Rules