Author: Jan Jansen
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!
