#3 Secret to Getting Ahead: Track Your Accomplishments

Women who want to get ahead: This week is for you. To get ahead, you must promote yourself. We are here to help you do just that. Check in with us every day this week and we’ll not only tell you how, but also share valuable researchstories, cheer you on and more.

Research shows that women who want to advance in their careers must promote themselves.

While there are a lot of different ways you can promote yourself, one of the best things you can do in preparation for this is so simple you can begin right NOW: write down your accomplishments.

Keep a sheet of paper in your desk or perhaps a document on your computer that you can go to regularly. Be diligent about updating it with accomplishments you are proud of, specific numbers you will want to remember, speaking engagements, conferences you’ve attended, memberships you hold relevant to your positions, any professional development, and other opportunities you want to remember.

Start today: Write down your accomplishments so that you will be well-prepared and equipped to promote yourself. The facts speak for themselves.

The benefits of this will be numerous. You can go back to this list when you:

  1. Update your resume
  2. Have a performance review and want to confidently bring to the table what you’ve achieved in your position
  3. Ask for a raise
  4. Apply for a promotion
  5. Apply for a membership or scholarship

I was given this wise tip early on in my career and it has served me well. The reason I  am regularly able to quantify my contributions in my job – things like how many articles I have written, how many people I talk to on a regular basis, what percentage of a following on social media I increased, how much money I raised, and more – is because I keep track of these numbers. Let the numbers help promote you!

Start today:

Start small and write down whatever comes to mind at first. I encourage you to enjoy this process and use it as a time to take pride in your hard work, acknowledging all you have done, how much you’ve grown, and how it is a springboard for where you want to go.

 Good luck!

Erin Risner

Director of Community Engagement

Writer. Creative. Brand Strategist. Content Curator. Social Media and Marketing Maven. Passionate about connecting with women around the world and telling their success stories.