7 tips to get started with your book of success
Success is a question of inner attitude. That's why I have established a daily ritual to celebrate success. If you want to assert yourself as a woman in a leadership position, you need self-confidence. And that grows by keeping in mind what you have already achieved.
I started keeping a success book early on, I got the idea in LEAN-IN circle in the Women Network at Adidas, which I co-founded and co-led.
What is a book of success?
Your book of success is a kind of dairy of your successes. Every night before I went to bed, I write down the answers to the following questions:
- What did I do well today? What was a success?
- What made me happy today? What am I particularly grateful for?
- What is my goal for the coming day?
In the beginning, I sometimes sat in front of a blank page for a long time. But over time it became easier and easier for me. And at some point I realized: writing releases new energy in me. I am proud of what I have achieved. I am more grateful and happier.
It also makes sense to include the feedback of others. Simply feedback received through a colleague or also a staff or boss either on the fly or via a short survey. Many of us often find it difficult to remember and name our achievements and strengths, but for others it is much easier. Just a tip when you get started.
What to write in your book of success?
Success
Every evening I write down three things that I have succeeded in doing that day. For example, one such success could be, "Today I handled a difficult conversation well." Or: "Today I was able to strengthen an employee's strengths." Of course they exist: the days when everything just seems to go wrong. But with a little thought, I can think of a small success even on such a day. Here are some things you can mention when listing your professional achievements:
- every time you have reached or exceeded a goal
- every time a client, colleague, boss, friend says something positive about you
- any awards, certifications or recognition you have received
- every time you have gone above and beyond the call of duty
Gratitude
I also write down three things I am grateful for every night.
Goal
Every evening I set a goal for the day ahead. It can be a professional goal, like "Tomorrow I will prepare the monthly presentation" or "Tomorrow I will call XY and have the crisis meeting." But sometimes it is also a private goal.
The success diary can also be classified as journaling.
The benefits of writing a book of success
Through my success journal, the day appears to me in a completely different light: things that I would otherwise have taken for granted become much more conscious to me. I notice what I have achieved and how well I am doing. Of course, I know that these positive thoughts just before going to bed won't make all the bad things disappear. But they give me nicer and calmer nights - without worries and without a carousel of thoughts.
Setting the goal for the day the night before helps me to focus. In the evening of the next day, I look at the goal again and check it off; I find that very satisfying. If I haven't achieved it - some unpleasant things are easy to put off - then it goes back on the list the next day.
7 tips to get started with your book of success
Choose your focus wisely!
My three questions are about success, gratitude and goals. I myself write about business as well as private things in my success book. But everyone can decide for themselves whether they want to do the same or whether they would rather limit themselves to one thing.
Consistency!
5-10 minutes that is the time I need for my success book. But at first as it is unusual to consciously reflect on the day in this way and not always I could think of something that seemed worth writing down. But especially in the beginning it is important to continue till it becomes a habit.
Finding the right method
There are different approaches to journaling. Some use special notebooks with predefined questions that they answer daily. Others create a so-called bullet journal themselves, combining calendar, notebook and self-reflection. With pen and paper or on the computer? I write by hand because it gives me better access to my feelings. But it also works on the computer, then you can save it, retrieve it from anywhere and even file it sorted by category.
Developing a routine
Even if the motivation is great, regular writing often gets lost. The easiest way is to link the success diary to an existing routine. When you first start a new routine, any routine, it must become a habit. Before you can do that, it needs to be scheduled. Put it in your weekly planner or calendar like any other appointment or event you have. Treat it like a task you have every week, something you need to do before the week is over.
Have patience!
You can't just resolve, "I will go through life feeling confident and positive". That doesn't work! Nor should you expect your mindset to be set for success after the first entry in the success book. It takes 90 days before anything really changes!"
Details are important!
Make sure you include context in your entries, even if you don't think it's important. A year from now you may not remember the intricacies of your entries, do your future self a favour and add details. Try to be as quantifiable as possible. Basically: What have you achieved and by how much? When the time comes, quantifiable data will help you complete your CV and showcase your value in the best possible way.
(Monthly) Reflection:
Best is to set aside some time in your calendar, perhaps on Friday afternoon as you finish work and prepare for the weekend, to reflect on the past work week.
There will come a time when you are frustrated with your current role, need a change or feel bad and need a motivational boost. When that time comes, pick up your success book!
At the end of the month, create a summary and check if the results are related to your work goals. Consider whether you already want to or have been able to share this with your supervisor, peer group or mentor.
I have noticed that too often we forget to celebrate our successes and take them for granted.
We need to take time to recognize and reward ourselves for our achievements. It's also okay to talk about them. But that's material for another blog post.
And at some point, you will refer back to this book when you feel your confidence waning. You will be inspired by how you have solved critical problems in the past.
In my course SHOW up! we integrate the book of success as part of your daily routine and discover how to use the outcome for your career management.
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You cannot know everything there is to know about how to get where you want to be in life. While it’s possible to learn the needed skills, this will take time and likely a lot of money. Instead, what if you had someone (or a group of people) who can help guide you to success?
A mentor is someone who currently is where you want to be. The relationship you have with a mentor can be an official one, or it can be informal such as following in the footsteps of someone you admire. Mentors have experience and have gone through growing pains towards success. They will know what kinds of training you may need or skills to develop.