Here's a career success idea that can provide returns in multiple dimensions of your career: create a “Smile File” to capture good news related your career success.
What's a Smile File?
A smile file is a repository of successes, congratulations, comments, feedback, and other mementos of your career. Some specific items could include:
- Thank you notes you receive
- Outstanding job review documents
- Final recaps on products, services, programs, processes, and other efforts you've managed or contributed to meaningfully
- Emails you receive as testimonials
- Photos of great team performance
- Copies of materials you've produced that have exceeded expectations
- Notes and kudos from co-workers
That's simply a starting list.
Basically anything that brings to mind a career success and brings a smile to your face when you see or remember it is fair game for your smile file.
How does a smile file help your career success?
- When updating your resume or LinkedIn profile, these items are wonderful reminders of things to include
- If you're having a "I'm a fraud day," your smile file mementos will demonstrate you really aren't a fraud.
- They will cheer you up on bad days
- They can help you prepare for your next job review
- It's tangible evidence when people question the impact of things you are addressing in your job
It’s a simple idea, but a smile file can make all the different on a bad day when it seems you’re having anything BUT career success.
Trust me . . . it works! - Mike Brown
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