TRACK YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS - Why Keeping A Journal Is Key To Success
Richard Jenkins
Founder & Director | Helping Businesses Find the Right Tech & Digital Talent, One Personalised Placement at a Time
Make 2025 the year you Track Your Achievements.
Nothing has had a greater impact on career success than keeping a record of your accomplishments.
Let’s explore why maintaining a journal is essential and how it can elevate your professional journey.
Keeping a journal can be as simple as jotting down notes in a physical notepad, adding entries on your phone, or maintaining a document on your laptop. The key is to have a dedicated space where you can easily access your achievements and reflections.
For me, I use an old notepad and spend a few minutes every Friday capturing key moments before I switch off for the weekend.
Why do it?
Have you ever struggled to answer, “What are your greatest achievements?” in an interview or pay review? Or found your CV lacking the quantifiable value-add statements that truly reflect your contributions?
These common challenges can be easily overcome by maintaining a journal.
Here’s why it matters:
What Should You Track?
Think about all the great work you’ve done beyond your core job responsibilities.
Whether it’s going the extra mile, mentoring colleagues, or contributing innovative ideas, these moments often go unnoticed by managers or companies.
And, often we forget all the great work we have done!
Here’s a breakdown of what to include:
Some might say this is excessive, but capturing even 10% of these moments ensures you’ll never be caught off guard when it’s time to showcase your impact.
Practical Uses
Pay Reviews: Your employer may not always recognise your hard work. By tracking achievements, you’ll have undeniable evidence to back up requests for a pay rise. Whether it’s late-night project delivery, contributing to business growth, or improving key metrics, having a documented history will support your case confidently.
Interviews: Interviews are all about showcasing value. Having a comprehensive list of your achievements allows you to present your story clearly, backed by real-life examples. Whether it’s a virtual or face-to-face interview, having notes handy ensures you’re always prepared to demonstrate your contributions.
Updating Your CV: A well-kept journal transforms into a rich source of quantifiable data for your CV. Imagine having a CV brimming with real achievements and value-added statements, making it easy to stand out to potential employers.
Ongoing Development: Beyond the immediate benefits, a journal allows you to reflect on your career journey. Use it to track growth, assess areas for improvement, and celebrate milestones. On tough days, flipping through your entries will remind you of your progress and motivate you to keep pushing forward.
Take Action
Starting your journal is easy—just commit a few minutes each week to document your accomplishments. Whether it’s a Friday habit or a scheduled reminder, the payoff is invaluable.
Your future self will thank you, whether it’s negotiating a pay rise or applying for that dream role.
If you only change one thing this year, make it this: start tracking your achievements.
Best,
Rich