Career Journaling – a tool to Career Development?

Career Journal – a tool to Career Development?

Journaling is a voyage to the interior – like talking to oneself & listening at the same time.

“Keeping a journal of what’s going on in your life is a good way to help you distill what’s important and what’s not.” Martina Navratilova

How about a journal of your career evolution?

Career #journaling  could be important. Whether one is a student exploring options, middle level manager, established executive seeking to level up, entrepreneur & especially if unemployed.

More important today, when no one can guarantee you full-time & life long employment.

Career #journal  is like developing a relationship with your career.

Have some blueprint to envision one’s future & record one’s progress. How you got to where you are & what you need to do to get to where you want to be.

Keep a track of accomplishments – Big wins one certainly remembers. But one often forgets small wins like extra tasks or projects, pitching in for the team colleagues, cost cutting ideas  implemented, etc.

Keep track of how your finances have changed during your career. How much you need/want to be paid based on your financial plans.

Record constructive feedback, advice from mentors, compliments
& accolades received.

 Jot down innovative ideas that come to mind- they may trigger motivation to get better results more creatively.

Venting one’s frustration safely to a journal instead of suppressing them  reduces stress & one can review them more objectively later.

Assess one’s skills from time to time and see whether there are gaps one could fill.

Keep track of Transferable skills being picked up along the way – crucial when transitioning jobs.

Best career tips may come up unexpectedly, whether from boss, mentor, seasoned colleague, coach or even coachee & are useful to note down.

Research of companies you would like to work for & useful connections you can leverage.

Most advantages of a career journal come over the long term. So starting early in one’s career is a good idea.

Alternatively, when starting a new major chapter like a promotion or a new job.

 Career journal provides valuable fodder of career stories at a job interview, promotion, a public speaking gig or just any conversation.

A journal helps to map one’s career path. And writing it down in a journal helps one stick to it. You can see how every thing fits together, Review & Reflect.

YOU are the BOSS of your own career.

Journal it, Own it!

Have you been keeping a career journal?

Would  love to hear your views  , perspectives & experiences on the comments.

#skillgrill #career #jobs #employment #hr #jobsearch
#jobcoaching