When you have a to-do list that is longer than a CVS receipt, it is easy to get so busy checking off tasks, answering emails, and spending time in meetings, that you forget to think about your big goals and what you’ve accomplished. In an ideal world, your boss and coworkers would notice your “wins” at work and congratulate you on them, but they are busy with their own to-do lists and might not notice. Keep them informed!
Why You Should Track Your Accomplishments:
You’ll get more responsibility, higher-profile projects, and eventually a promotion and raise if you consistently make sure your boss and higher-ups know about your accomplishments. Instead of waiting until your annual review and reflecting back on months of work, take note of your accomplishments regularly, share them, and write them down so you have a list handy when it is time for your annual review or you are up for a promotion.
You’ll feel more confident and happier at work if you are taking time to notice and celebrate your own accomplishments and you can look at your list as a pick-me-up if you are having a bad day or feel burnt-out.
How to Keep Track of Your Accomplishments:
Take a few minutes every Friday to reflect on the past week and write down any compliments you got from coworkers or clients, the work you are especially proud of, and any metrics you hit like a certain amount of traffic, sales, or events you planned. When you want to make the case for a promotion or a lateral move within the company, or if you decide to start your job search, you’ll be grateful you’ve kept track of the metrics because they clearly show the impact you’ve made.
Additionally, keep a “wins” folder on your computer with proposals and projects you are especially proud of and a “wins” folder on Gmail or Outlook with positive emails you get from coworkers and clients.
How to Share Your Accomplishments:
Share “wins” with your boss in one-on-one meetings and with other coworkers in team meetings. If it was a team effort, explain how the team was able to accomplish the goal and mention the individual team members and the impact they made. You’ll showcase the team’s accomplishments and make your coworkers feel seen and appreciated. Of course, there will be times when you accomplished things independently, especially as you get further in your career. Make sure to own it!
When you have big successes like winning an award, getting a promotion, press, or an update like a new job, mention it on LinkedIn and social media to let your wider professional network and people in your field know. Create a list of former bosses and coworkers, mentors, and other people who have supported you throughout your career and send them an individual email with any major updates like a promotion or job change and use it as an opportunity to check-in if you haven’t connected recently.
