It's time to stop being so humble at work. When it comes to forging a career path in a moment shaped by increasing flexibility, pervasive layoffs, and less company loyalty than ever, following the old rules and quietly waiting for opportunities will no longer cut it.

是时候停止在职场中过度谦卑了。在如今这个灵活办公普及、裁员潮频发、企业忠诚度瓦解的时代，要想开拓职业道路，恪守旧规、静待机遇早已行不通。

The reality is that today, career success requires us to be more outspoken, vocal, and self-directed. But years of seeing this behavior as selfish has kept us locked in place.

现实是，如今要在职场上获得成功，需要我们更直言不讳、敢于表达、自主导向。但多年来，我们将这种行为视为“自私”，这使我们固步自封。

When we take the time to explore and advocate for ourselves more vocally at work, it helps us and our colleagues to succeed and thrive. Running too hard up someone else's ladder will inevitably lead to burnout. Meanwhile, knowing ourselves and pursuing what we want will ultimately lead to a healthier workplace culture.

当我们花时间在职场中更积极地探索和争取自身利益时，这不仅能帮助自己，也能助力同事们取得成功、蓬勃发展。一味攀爬别人的“晋升阶梯”终将导致职业倦怠，而了解自己、追求内心所求，最终会塑造更健康的职场文化。

For anyone who still feels a little queasy about this change, here are four steps to be more selfish at work:

如果你仍对这种转变感到不适，以下是在职场中变得更“自私”的四个步骤：

Step 1: Revisit your past desires

步骤1：重温昔日渴望

Look backwards to reconnect with early interests. What were you like around age 10? Where did you go to college and what did you study? Revisiting these passions helps remind you what has motivated you.

回顾过往，重新审视早期的兴趣。你 10 岁左右是什么样子？大学在哪里读的、学了什么？重温这些热爱能提醒你，什么曾激励着你。

Step 2: Explore favorite moments

步骤2：探索心流时刻

Consider your favorite days at work. What are you doing? Are you alone? In groups? What is your ideal weekly cadence?

回想你在职场中最享受的日子。你在做什么？独自工作还是团队协作？你理想的每周工作节奏是怎样的？

Step 3: Seek out new inspiration

步骤3：寻找新灵感

Cast your networking reach wider. Connect with people whose work lives you admire. Ask how they make it work. Follow inspiring professionals on LinkedIn and engage with them.

拓宽人脉圈，主动联系那些你欣赏其工作状态的人，询问他们如何平衡工作。在领英上关注能给你启发的职场人士，并积极与他们互动。

Step 4: Speak up at work and beyond

步骤4：在职场内外勇敢发声

Start putting your needs and wants in writing. Take one step toward where you want to head. Ask for a small but significant shift. With each ask, you'll get stronger at self-advocacy.

开始纸笔写下你的需求和愿望，朝着目标迈出一小步——提出一个微小但关键的改变。每一次主动争取，都会让你变得更擅长“推销”自己。