Stop Waiting to Be Noticed: Why Women Must Take Charge of Their Careers

Let me tell you about a peer. I’ll call her Cheryll.

When she was 18, Cheryll started working as an administrative assistant for a well-known corporation. She was an introvert—friendly but mostly quiet. She worked diligently and efficiently, learning the landscape of the job quickly. Within two years, she was promoted to an HR investigator role.

She liked her job. Every day, she arrived early and contributed to projects far beyond her scope. She became an Excel whiz, the default go-to when anyone needed an elaborate spreadsheet or a last-minute report. She was known for “saving the day” whenever things fell through the cracks.

Cheryll was just 20 years old when she became a mother of two. She worked full-time, barely getting through the exhausting cycle of work, home, kids, and sleep (or lack of it). She loved the idea of going to college but didn’t see how she could possibly find the time or energy to pursue it.

But she believed something we’ve all been taught at some point: if you just work hard, you’ll be rewarded. If you keep your head down, they’ll notice.

The Reality Check

I met Cheryll after she had been with the company for 15 years. By then, she was still in the same HR department—still working hard, still contributing above and beyond.

I was new. On my first day, I found a bouquet of flowers at my workstation. It was Cheryll’s way of welcoming me. She had an easy manner and a killer smile, the kind that put people at ease instantly.

"Hi, I’m glad you’re here," she said. "There’s so much to do, and I’ve been juggling quite a bit on my own. It’ll be good to have some help."

At first, I didn’t understand. I had been hired in a senior role—how was I supposed to help her workload?

Within days, I realized the truth.

The person I had been hired to replace had been gone for months. In that time, Cheryll had been expected to fill in and complete her own work, essentially doing two jobs.

And she did it. Because she thought it would get her recognition. She thought it would lead to a well-earned promotion.

She was wrong.

Hard Work Alone Won’t Get You There

How many women can relate to this?

How many are guilty of doing the work with their heads down, juggling impossible deadlines, carrying entire teams on their backs, thinking that one day, someone will tap them on the shoulder and say, "We see you. Here’s your reward."

That day rarely comes.

Here’s what happens instead:

• You take on extra work, assuming it will prove your value.
• Your boss appreciates you—but only because it makes their life easier.
• You keep pushing, hoping that this project, this late night, this sacrifice will be the one that gets you promoted.
• Years pass. You’re exhausted. And you’re still in the same place.

This isn’t just about fairness—it’s about burnout, stress, and sleepless nights.

When women keep saying yes, when they keep taking on more than they should, when they wait to be chosen, they are wasting the most valuable resource they have: time.

Focus on Needle-Moving Tasks

Success isn’t about doing more work—it’s about doing the right work.

Many women get caught in the trap of being the “go-to” person for every problem. They take on work that’s urgent but not important. They do tasks that make everyone else’s jobs easier but don’t actually move the needle on their own careers.

If you want to be seen as a leader, you need to prioritize needle-moving tasks—the ones that contribute to the bottom line, increase revenue, improve efficiency, or directly align with business goals.

Ask yourself:

• What work gets recognized and rewarded in my company?
• Am I spending most of my time on strategic, high-impact work?
• What can I automate, delegate, or say no to so I can focus on real career-building tasks?

Think Ahead

Too often, people don’t think about where they want to be in five or ten years until they’re in an interview and forced to answer the question.

By then, it’s too late.

They apply for promotions because they come with more money or a management title, without considering if they’re the right fit. They let their careers happen to them instead of making intentional moves.

Stop waiting. Start planning.

What do you actually want? Not just in title, but in lifestyle, purpose, and fulfillment.
What education or skills will help you get there? Be proactive—don’t wait until a job posting forces you to think about it.
What are you willing to do now to position yourself for the future?

Prioritize Your Education—Even If It’s Uncomfortable

If you want to advance, you have to upskill. There’s no way around it.

If your company offers tuition reimbursement—take it.
If you can enroll in an online course—do it.
If you need a certification to be more competitive—go for it.

Stretching yourself will be uncomfortable. It will be hard. But short-term discomfort is worth long-term growth.

Be Willing to Walk Away

Sometimes, the best way to get ahead isn’t to stay and wait—it’s to leave and start fresh.

Too many people stay in jobs that are “comfortable.” They tell themselves:

"I know the people."
"It’s a good company."
"It’s not that bad."

But "not that bad" isn’t great. And being comfortable is often the enemy of growth.

If you’ve hit a ceiling where you are, if your company doesn’t invest in your development, if leadership doesn’t see your potential—it may be time to move on.

Be willing to leave something good in exchange for something great.

Make a Long-Term Plan for Yourself

Your career is yours to build. If you don’t take charge of it, someone else will—and you may not like where they take you.

• Get clear on your five-to-ten-year vision.
• Prioritize needle-moving tasks that get you ahead.
• Invest in your education and upskilling.
• Build a network of sponsors, not just mentors.
• Don’t be afraid to leave if your growth is limited.

You deserve to be seen. You deserve to be compensated well for your work. But you have to be your own biggest advocate. And sometimes that means choosing yourself.

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