It can seem as though we’ve accomplished nothing during the worst kinds of weeks—when we’re in a bad mood, when a coworker is especially loud and distracting, when we’re juggling a million different fires. On Friday, we feel defeated and resentful because we felt we wasted our time on unimportant things while our to-do list kept expanding.
You probably already know this, but you probably did more than you thought. Those eight hours didn’t just pass quickly as you sat there doing nothing. Even if you don’t currently have a new, impressive project to showcase, the abilities you’re developing, the difficulties you’re encountering, and the daily little actions you take are ultimately bringing you closer and closer to success.
For starters, this quick activity makes you feel good, which is why it can change your life. You won’t experience that sinking feeling of “I’m useless” if you can see everything you accomplished in a given week on paper. Even on the truly slow weeks, you can reflect on this and see that you’ve actually accomplished a lot recently (and if you haven’t, it’s a good time to consider whether the position is still the right fit for you).
This behavior will prevent you from falling behind as well as advance you. You’ll know you need to pick up the pace before your boss notices your lack of productivity if you notice you’re completing fewer tasks each week or taking too long on projects. Or, if you’re having trouble coming up with achievements, particularly ones that truly make you proud, it’s a good indication that it’s time to assess your current position to see if it’s satisfying enough for you.
Alyse, who was formerly the editor of The Muse, is proud to demonstrate that English majors can indeed make a difference in the world. She has penned nearly 500 articles for The Muse on topics ranging from cover letters to bad bosses to cool career changes, many of which have been highlighted in Fast Company, Forbes, Inc., and other publications. Lifehacker, Mashable, CNBC’s Make It, USA Today College, and more She has many homes, including Illinois, where she was raised, and Hamilton, a small town where Colgate University is located, but she was destined to live in New York. Alyse enjoys writing and reading a lot, and she also enjoys dancing, both professionally and while waiting for the subway.
- Keep a handwritten journal. …
- Input into an app on your phone or tablet. …
- Use a voice recorder. …
- Write them on your calendar. …
- Continually add to your resume. …
- Related: How to Painlessly Keep Your Resume Updated (Even While Employed)
Why are accomplishment logs important?
Because they provide a platform on which you can review your accomplished goals, achievement logs are crucial. You can keep track of the tasks you complete over time in both your personal and professional lives by keeping an accomplishment log of any kind. This information is crucial to have on hand when you’re writing a resume, cover letter, or list of skills and achievements for job opportunities. In addition, this kind of achievement tracker is crucial for the following reasons:
What is an accomplishment log?
A record of the tasks you complete over time is kept in an accomplishment log, also known as an accomplishment log. These projects could be ones that you complete in your personal or professional life. You can decide to record all of your achievements or just the most noteworthy and significant ones that have a significant influence on you, your personal life, or your professional life.
You can make a handwritten, physical copy of this record keeper or use a word processing program to create a digital achievement log. You can choose to track the following accomplishments in your achievement log:
What to include on an accomplishment log
Any item you record on your log needs to have the following details:
How to track accomplishments with an accomplishment log
If you adhere to a few guidelines, creating an accomplishment log to keep track of your various accomplishments can be an efficient and simple process. You can use the following as a template to make your own achievement log:
1. Determine how to record information
You can decide how you’re going to do this before you start recording all of your accomplishments. You might want to record each accomplishment one by one by hand or use technology to track them instead. Making your own specialized accomplishment log requires careful consideration of the medium that will allow you to record all of your accomplishments. For instance, you might select one of the following media to record information:
2. Select a personal or professional approach
You may need to narrow the scope of your accomplishment log depending on its intended use. When deciding what kind of content to include in your accomplishment log, for instance, if your goal is to use it to help you land a job, you might take a professional approach. You could include professional accomplishments, like receiving a promotion at work, in that kind of accomplishment log. A personal approach to an accomplishment log, on the other hand, may be more suitable for you if you want to record personal accomplishments, like getting your first car.
3. Begin listing your accomplishments
Finally, you can detail all of your most notable accomplishments. No matter what platform you use to create your accomplishment log, make sure to give each success a thorough description to give the best possible impression of your successes. You have the option of listing your achievements chronologically, in order of importance, or randomly.
How to Track Your Work Accomplishments to Update Your Resume and Ask for a Promotion
FAQ
How do I know my accomplishments?
Think about how a question relates to your own experience. Start by considering your successes from the previous five or ten years. If a question makes you think of a feat you’ve accomplished, jot down a brief note outlining the feat.
How can I track my work performance?
One strategy is to maintain a notebook or diary where you take notes throughout the day about assignments received, goals established, instructions given, interim and final deadlines established, tasks to complete, and specific actions taken. Include instruments to help you perform your work, such as checklists
