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As employees, we need to be more proactive in managing our careers. While there are many ways to accomplish this, let’s focus on a simple solution: keep a list of all activities and accomplishments for each performance year.
We are all busy trying to complete the work we’ve been assigned and that may cause us to forget to update our managers on our progress. While managers should be scheduling update/ check-in meetings with us, it doesn’t always happen. We need to be proactive and request these meetings. If months pass before there is an opportunity to talk, we may forget about some of our most important accomplishments.
Keeping a on-going list of activities and accomplishments for each performance year will benefit you and your manager by serving as a reminder of what you’ve been able to achieve. It can be particularly helpful in performance reviews. Neither you nor your manager will be able to remember everything you accomplished so make it easy. Begin with a simple document or spreadsheet and list your activities and accomplishments. Include the dates of completion and any other relevant information that adds color to the accomplishment.
Below I’ve provided an example of how I tracked my activities and accomplishments. (Click image to enlarge.)
As you can see, I would have forgotten about quite a few items on the list had I not written them down. Without them, my manager wouldn’t have understood the commitment I have to onboarding and engaging new hires. Sometimes it is the small things that make the biggest impact.
While the example above doesn’t show it, be sure to include any outside/ non-work activities and accomplishments as well. Did you complete any relevant training not offered by your company? What books did you read to stay up-to-date on your industry? These will help provide a well-rounded view of your value to the company.
Give it a try. This simple list can go a long way to helping you be more proactive in managing your career. January is a great time to start.
How do you track your activities and accomplishments? What tips can you share on ways to be more proactive in managing your career?
P.S. – First time here? Welcome to the Agent In Engagement site. Thanks for taking the time to stop by! I hope you’ll explore the rest of the site. Let me know what employee engagement topics interest you.
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Let’s Get Engaged!
I’m Agent in Engagement Simpson…Gregory Simpson.
As an Agent in Engagement, my mission is to help companies and their employees succeed by focusing on how frontline and middle managers engage, manage, and develop their direct reports.
After years in the field, the consulting field, where I created award-winning employee engagement work for Fortune 150 clients, I’m looking forward to returning to headquarters where I’ll to continue to battle every company’s greatest nemesis, employee disengagement.
I’m excited about this opportunity to connect with fellow “Agents.” Subscribe to the RSS Feed to receive the latest updates and/or register to comment on posts.
You can follow me @agtinengagement, email me at g…@a…t.com or learn more about me at www.gregoryfsimpson.com.
