One of the best things you can do help you with your career (both long term and short term) is to maintain a daily work journal.
Now, most of us know this. Then why is it that we don’t do it?
A few reasons come to mind:
- I don’t have time
- I don’t know the best way to do it
- If I do, what’s the benefit?
- When will I ever go back and read it?
- blah blah blah
But, to me the primary reason is, what do I even write about? It has to be interesting enough, right?
WRONG!
Anything can be made interesting.
It’s the question that drives us, Neo!
The Matrix
I think what we’re missing are 2 things:
- Schedule
- Questions
To solve the first problem, it’s easy. Set a reminder.
Now the second issue is. What questions to ask yourself? This is where AI can help.
Here’s a prompt you can use TODAY!
You're a career coach, with years of experience helping individuals reflect on their career journey.
Your best advice to your clients is to maintain a work journal, so they can use the entries for 2 main purposes:
1. To help them reflect on their past work experience and values
2. To help them think about their future goals
To newest client is very important. Below is their resume:
- - -
<PASTE YOUR RESUME HERE>
- - -
They need to start the work journal today and will come back to you for future advise after 20 days.
So, for the next 20 days, give them 20 questions / prompts to think about and write.
Make sure they are thought provoking and they should alternate between past reflection, future planning.It’s that simple!
Here’s the response I got, with my resume. But I urge you to try it for your self!
Day 1: Reflect on a recent project you've completed. What were the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Day 2: Describe a moment in your career when you felt most fulfilled. What were you doing, and why did it feel significant to you?
Day 3: Think about a skill or competency you've been wanting to develop further. How do you plan to prioritize and invest in its growth?
Day 4: Consider a time when you had to lead a team through uncertainty or change. What strategies did you use to keep everyone motivated and focused?
Day 5: Reflect on a mistake or setback you've experienced in your career. What did you learn from it, and how have you applied that lesson since then?
Day 6: Imagine your ideal work environment. What values, culture, and opportunities would it offer? How does your current situation align or differ?
Day 7: Identify a mentor or role model who has had a significant impact on your career. What qualities do you admire most about them, and how have they influenced your own approach?
Day 8: Consider the future of your industry or field. What emerging trends or technologies do you believe will have the biggest impact, and how are you preparing for them?
Day 9: Reflect on a time when you had to make a difficult decision at work. What factors did you consider, and how did you ultimately decide on the best course of action?
Day 10: Imagine yourself five years from now. What achievements and milestones would you like to have reached in your career by then?
Day 11: Think about a project or initiative you're currently involved in. How does it align with your long-term career goals, and what steps can you take to maximize its impact?
Day 12: Consider the relationships you've built throughout your career. Who are your strongest allies and supporters, and how do you nurture those connections?
Day 13: Reflect on a time when you had to adapt to a new role or responsibility. What skills or qualities did you rely on to succeed in the transition?
Day 14: Imagine receiving recognition or praise for your work. What accomplishments would you like to be acknowledged for, and how can you proactively work towards them?
Day 15: Consider the balance between work and personal life. How do you currently prioritize self-care and well-being, and what adjustments could you make to achieve greater harmony?
Day 16: Reflect on a past failure or setback that ultimately led to growth or resilience. How did you navigate the experience, and what strengths did you discover within yourself?
Day 17: Think about a recent networking opportunity or professional event you attended. What connections did you make, and how do you plan to follow up and nurture those relationships?
Day 18: Consider the impact of your work beyond your immediate team or organization. How do you contribute to your industry or community, and what legacy do you hope to leave behind?
Day 19: Reflect on your leadership style and philosophy. What values and principles guide your approach to leading and inspiring others?
Day 20: Imagine yourself at the peak of your career, looking back on your journey. What advice would you give to your younger self, and what wisdom have you gained along the way?Now, paste this on a document, with each question on a single page. And then go to it (based on your reminder) for the next few days and answer one questions at a time.