Leverage this simple practice to unleash your impact, boost your confidence and own your value

"I'm my own worst critic.”

"I doubt myself and my abilities."

"I’m worried I don’t have all the skills to do the job."

These real words hit my ears on the regular from amazingly successful professional women. If your mind goes there too, you are not alone. From inner thought loops to career collateral, women sell themselves short. No matter if it’s accomplishment amnesia or a severe case of undervaluation, research shows women:

Are less likely to ask for a referral for a job opportunity.
Discredit their expertise and experiences by omitting core skills and key achievements on their resume.
Refuse to apply for a role unless they are exceptionally qualified.

Since March is the host to International Women’s Day, it’s a perfect time to tackle this very real issue residing in so many female brains and career trajectories. So, whether you are updating your resume, asking for a raise or taking a boxing glove to beat back the lies in your head, there is a simple practice you can implement to unpack your career contributions to put your irreplaceable impact on full display.

What is it, you ask? It’s so simple you’re going to kick yourself. Are you ready? Accomplishment tracking.

*Photo by* *Paico Oficial* on *Unsplash*

THE POWER OF PROOF

We are a forgetful people. Heck, I can’t even remember what I ate for lunch yesterday! Counteract your short-term memory loss by jotting down your career wins on a regular basis. Simple, right? But when (not if) this exercise gets lost in the shuffle of life, it costs in time and opportunity.

You see, recruiters and hiring managers assess candidates on the proof of performance. They are looking for concrete examples of how you’ve solved problems similar to the ones they have! Decision-makers can only stomach so many sentences (written or spoken) about general job duties before they’re pining after your unique contributions. If you can barely remember (or believe) your impact, you won’t be able to communicate it when it matters.

Equip yourself with the evidence of your influence by blocking your calendar (daily, monthly, quarterly or annually) to carve out time for this essential practice.

HAVE IT YOUR WAY

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to documenting your achievements. Catalog your wins in a way that works for you. Choose the moment, mode, and method that suits you best. Consider if you are more of a traditionalist, technophile or a blend of both.

The Traditionalist

If the smell of fresh paper and genuine leather gives you all the feels, take your pen to paper in a traditional journal. Place it on your desk for easy access as you shut down for the day. There is no shortage of journals to choose from. Eat your heart out on Amazon or Etsy. Check out my fav from the Binding Bee, handmade by my dear friend, Megan, who is just as passionate about storytelling as I am.

If you are a use-what-you-have kinda girl, consider jotting down daily wins in your paper planner or wall calendar to revisit on a recurring basis.

The Technophile

Technology rules the day in most aspects of our lives. Let your accomplishment documentation be no different. Designate space in your inbox or Google drive to track accomplishments in a Word (or Excel) file. Save performance reviews, colleague/customer kudos and other recognition for an annual revisit (or resume update).

Evernote is also a great home for your digital accomplishment journal. This note-taking app has the ability to sync your notes and your calendar in addition to uploading audio, scans, PDFs and documents wherever (and whenever).

The Classic Modernist

You love the best of both worlds. You can’t give up the pen and love the modern convenience of technology. A digital notebook is your perfect companion when giving a testament to your career wins. Consider brands like Remarkable, Rocketbook or Bamboo Folio that range in capability and price points to meet your tracking needs.

*Photo by* *David Iskander* on *Unsplash*

LET ME COUNT THE WAYS

So, you are down with the what and why of tracking your accomplishments - Yay! You’ve blocked out the time on your work calendar and you’re ready to go. Now what?

If you are at a loss for what document, let the following questions inspire you. Remember your records will be most valuable when you quantify your accomplishments with specific numbers, percentages, comparisons and dollar amounts. Decision-makers want a trophy case of your impact, not deadbeat adjectives. Start unearthing your value in these 101 ways:

General Reflection Questions

What are you most proud of in the work you do?
How did you set yourself apart in your work?
When have you transformed a bad situation into a good one?
Describe a recent problem solved.
What makes you good at your job?
Which skill do you have that is unusual for someone with your job title to possess?
What problem at work does everyone come to you to solve?
Are you known for something specific at work? (What are you famous for at work?)

Daily, Monthly, Quarterly or Yearly Review

What went well today?
If you weren’t at work today, what didn’t get done?
Today, I accomplished…
What was the most important thing you did today?
What was your biggest personal accomplishment last year/month/quarter?
What was your biggest professional accomplishment last year/month/quarter?
What did you do today to go above and beyond what was required?
What is the most important thing you did in your job in the past year?
What did you finish today?

Performance

Did you achieve or exceed your quotas/goals last year? By how much?
How have you recently contributed to a team or a group project?
Did you institute any new processes or procedures at your company? What happened then?
How have you rejuvenated something that has gone stale?
Did you design any new systems or processes? If so, what were the results?
Give an example of a time when you have gone above and beyond what was asked of you in your job description.
Did you create and/or help launch a new product, service, or program? How successful was it? What were the results?
Are you involved in any regulatory or compliance issues? Have you been successful in gaining approval for any of your efforts?
How have you shepherded a specific project through difficult circumstances
Describe a difficult project you worked on recently. What was the challenge? What was the outcome?
Have you uncovered evidence of something fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading in your career?
Describe an example of how you have gone beyond the scope of your job responsibilities to carry out a task.
Have you been able to consistently achieve something that previously was only done periodically?
What new policies and procedures have you implemented in your current role?
Have you standardized a previously random program or process? What was the outcome?
Are you responsible for testing or tracking anything? How has this mattered for the company?
Have you taken complex information and summarized it in a way that it makes decision-making easier? What difference does that make?

Money

Give an example of how you have generated new business for your employer.

How have you increased sales or profits?
Have you brought a project in under budget? How did you make this happen?
How does your work contribute to your employer’s bottom line?
How have you done to help the company save money? How much?
What have you done to contribute to your company’s profitability?
Have you helped the company meet its budget? How?
How have you cut spending/expenses in your current role?

Time

What project have you accomplished recently that helped you or your co-workers save time with something? How much time was saved?
Have you designed any new standard operating procedures? What difference did it make?
Have you recommended any actions or activities that will help the company eliminate any unnecessary or redundant processes?
Have you digitized (or automated) any manual processes? How has that mattered?

Leadership

Have you taken on any leadership roles recently — either within your job or in your volunteer work?
Have you done any public speaking or made any presentations (either in-person or virtual)? Who did you speak to? On what topic?
What articles, white papers, or other significant documents have you written — or contributed to — recently?
Have you orchestrated any significant changes in your current role or in your department?
Which of your ideas has the company adopted successfully?
Have you ever successfully thwarted a bad decision from being made?
Give an example of how you’ve improved your work environment.
What is one thing that you have changed at the company since you started working there?
Have you been invited to participate in any special projects? What challenges did you tackle?
Have you tackled a project or program that no one else has?
How have you modernized your role?
Have you been elected to any leadership roles in a professional association or in a volunteer capacity?
Describe a project or committee that you have chaired.
How have you educated yourself — or someone else within the company — on a particular subject?
What new technology have you introduced into your job or company?
Have you formulated any significant plans for your organization — strategic plans, financial plans, organizational plans, etc.? What was the impact?
Have you founded any resource groups? What is the impact on the organization?
Which topics does your boss routinely consult with you about (in comparison to your co-workers)?
Did you launch any new initiatives? What was the result?
Have you pioneered any programs within the organization?

People

Did you develop any partnerships or strategic alliances that have helped your company’s success? What were the results?
When have you worked with a team to strategize a solution to a specific problem? What were the results?
Have you mentored anyone in your current position? How did this impact their career trajectory?
Give an example of a time when you salvaged a damaged relationship.
What have you done to help your company reach new audiences?
What have you done recently to make your boss look good?
How does the work you do alleviate stress on your co-workers? (When you do your job well, it helps them _____.)
Describe a time recently when you have saved a customer relationship or improved a customer relationship with your company. What difference did it make?
Have you acted as a liaison between two individuals or groups in any capacity? How does this impact your organization?
Describe a time when you filled in for another team member. What were the results?
Have you cultivated any new working relationships for your company? What difference did it make?
Describe a time when you have used your supervisory skills effectively. What was the outcome?

Transferable Skills

What have you done recently to demonstrate your conflict management capabilities?
Have you done anything to improve communications at work, either internally or externally?
Have you ever discovered an error in your review of something? What was the outcome?
Give an example of when you’ve demonstrated your time management skills.
How have you demonstrated your ability to identify key issues that need to be addressed? (Have you seen something no one else has?)
How have you made a difference at your company through your ability to listen?
How have you raised brand awareness in your current position?
Give an example when your ability to manage multiple assignments or responsibilities has led to a positive outcome.
Have you had to handle any challenges or crisis situations at your company? What was the challenge and what was the outcome?
Do you use negotiating skills in your current position? How?
How have you applied knowledge from another area of your life into your current job? What was the impact?

*Photo by* *Daria Nepriakhina* on *Unsplash*

Professional Development

Have you attained any professional licenses or certifications recently? What difference has this learning made in your work?
What new skills have you developed? In what way do you approach your work differently?

Kudos

Look at your most recent performance evaluation or review. What were you commended for?
Did you receive any honors, awards, or recognition? What did you receive this recognition for?
Which of your contributions has received the most recognition — from customers, your bosses, or both?
Have you been recognized as the first person to do something in your role with the company?
What would your co-workers say about you?
What has your boss praised you for recently?
What’s the nicest thing a customer has ever said about you?
Have you been recommended for a promotion? For what?
Have you received any notes, emails, or kudos from customers? From your boss? What were their remarks about?

Remember impact wins interviews and pay increases. So be as specific as possible in the moment when details are fresh. It's time well spent now for that next-level role or raise. Trust me. Your future self thanks you.

References: LinkedIn Gender Insights Report 2019, Adzuna 2019

101 Questions for Women to Uncover Wins for Career Advancement