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Then use this narrative to help build a roadmap. Instead of becoming stuck in your routine, think (and write) about opportunities you see for growth. This exercise, which involves “considering your most important, deeply held goals and picturing that they will be achieved” is a valuable workplace exercise as well. In The How of Happiness, researcher and professor of psychology Sonja Lyubomirsky says that spending 20 minutes each day writing a narrative description of your “best possible future self” can help cultivate optimism and an overall sense of happiness. Use the work you’re doing now to envision what you want to do (and can do!) in the future. If you’re being praised at work, it’s likely because you did something right. The value of this is twofold: First, it allows you to quickly remember the great things people have said about you when you need to provide a testimonial of your work, and second, it also acts as a quick and easy morale boost on days that seem harder than others. It may feel a little self-absorbed, but there’s no better place to keep track of the compliments and praise you’ve received than in your personal journal.
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Read it a few more times if you want, then let it go.
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In your journal, jot down the response you really wanted to send to that colleague or client. (In fact, sometimes that’s the only place you should be venting your frustrations!) I don’t mean to say that you should keep all negative feelings and experiences bottled up inside, but getting some of the little, day-to-day stuff off your chest, privately, is often the most therapeutic and safe way to move past your dissatisfaction. Vent (in a Safe Space)ĭid you get a passive-aggressive, condescending, or downright hostile email today? Did a client yell at you for something that was out of your control? There’s no more perfect place to vent your workplace frustrations than in the privacy of your own journal. It’s likely you’ll want to remember their words of wisdom for the rest of your career-and maybe even pass it on to your own mentee one day. So, when you get great guidance from a mentor, manager, or peer, write it down and use it as a resource when you’re struggling or looking for a bit of inspiration. And you know what’s even more valuable than getting that advice? Remembering it when you need it most. There are undoubtedly people in your career, both inside and outside your office, who provide you with invaluable feedback and advice.
KEEPING A DAILY WORK JOURNAL PROFESSIONAL
By writing down what you’ve been through, noting what worked and what didn’t, and analyzing what might help you in the future, you’ll set yourself up for much greater professional success. So, whether you totally nailed a client meeting or totally stumbled through a presentation, don’t forget to take note of the lesson. There’s little value in going through experiences, both good and bad, if you can’t learn from them. You might also find that, when you jot down one idea, a few more come to you. With a journal on hand, you can write thoughts down when they come to you and make a note to share them with your boss or team. But don’t let those ideas fall by the wayside simply because you didn’t think of them between 9 and 5.