If you’re feeling stuck in your role, the fastest way to regain momentum is to treat your career like a project—with clear outcomes, a timeline, and stakeholders. Below is a simple 90-day growth plan you can tailor to your role, whether you’re aiming for a promotion, a stronger performance review, or more interesting work.

Step 1: Define the “Next Level” (Week 1)

Start by getting specific about what “growth” actually means.

• Pick one target: promotion, expanded scope, new function, or leadership opportunities.
• Review 3–5 job descriptions for your next role and list the top recurring skills.
• Write a one-sentence goal: “In 90 days, I will be seen as the go-to person for X by delivering Y.”

Tip: If you can’t explain your goal in one sentence, it’s too fuzzy to measure.

Step 2: Choose 2 High-Leverage Skills (Weeks 2–4)

Avoid the trap of trying to improve everything at once.

Focus on:

• One skill that increases impact (e.g., stakeholder management, data storytelling, project planning)
• One skill that increases visibility (e.g., presenting, writing, cross-team collaboration)

Actionable ideas:

• Volunteer to present in a team meeting.
• Rewrite a recurring update (weekly status, metrics email) to be clearer and more decision-oriented.
• Ask a strong peer to review a document and tell you what would make it “executive-ready.”

Step 3: Create Proof of Impact (Weeks 5–10)

Promotions typically follow evidence, not potential. Build a small portfolio of wins.

• Pick one project that affects a key metric, customer outcome, or team efficiency.
• Define success in measurable terms: time saved, revenue influenced, defects reduced, cycle time improved.
• Track your work in a running “brag doc”:
  • Problem → Action → Result → What I learned

Tip: If your work isn’t measurable, make it observable: decisions influenced, risks reduced, alignment achieved.

Step 4: Make Your Manager Your Ally (Weeks 1–12)

Your manager shouldn’t be surprised by your promotion goal.

Try this script:

• “I’d like to grow into [role]. What are the top 2–3 behaviors you’d need to see consistently?”
• “Can we align on one project in the next 60 days that would demonstrate readiness?”
• “What would make you confident advocating for me?”

Step 5: Practice the Promotion Conversation (Weeks 10–12)

Even high performers stumble when explaining their impact.

• Prepare a 60-second summary of your biggest win.
• Use a simple structure: context → your contribution → measurable outcome → next step.
• Rehearse out loud (record yourself if possible) to reduce filler words and increase clarity.

Quick Self-Check

• Do people outside your team know what you’re working on?
• Can you quantify your impact in at least one area?
• Have you asked directly what “ready for the next level” means?

What’s one skill or project you could commit to in the next 90 days that would clearly signal you’re ready for the next level?