Sometimes, work can be a lot, especially when there are too many assignments to mark, you’re running experiments, writing papers, and everything is happening simultaneously – overwhelming, I get it. In the middle of chaos, losing track of what is happening can be easy, and the mess of infinite tasks may obscure our achievements.
But have you ever had these moments when you thanked your past self for putting up with the work even though you didn’t want to because the consequences to your future self would be too rewarding? Imagine setting up little systems across different domains in your life that are easy enough to manage and require simple enough tasks, so this feeling becomes a constant in your life. It is the most fantastic way to keep us grounded, not occupy valuable memory space in our brains, and remind us of how much we have achieved in our journey, whether academic or not.
So here are the steps to build your own achievements database. Check it every time you need to update your CV, apply for awards or jobs, or when your supervisor asks you to send them a paragraph on your latest endeavours. It genuinely boosts our pride with a bonus of saved time and minimized stress.
Step 1: Decide on a platform you are already comfortable using
I check my Gmail account every day, so I like to use Google Keep. Maybe you’re rocking Obsidian or Notion, or perhaps you have your pet notebook. It doesn’t matter what; it just needs to be a tool already in your daily routine.
Step 2: Categorize your main types of achievements
Here are mine: affiliations, event participation, event organization, presentations, awards, research and outreach projects, extracurricular courses, publications and patents, academic services, media presence, and teaching. You could have more; you could have less. Just use categories that make sense with what you’re used to doing.
Step 3: Create a legend system
This is an important step, so you don’t waste time checking what is already in your CV. You could use special characters or colours, but I like using emojis. For example, I add a check symbol if it is already in my CV and a strawberry if it’s not. If a certificate is necessary and I still don’t have it, I add a cross. Lastly, if it’s something I plan to do but it hasn’t happened yet, I add a balloon.
Step 4: Constantly go through and update your database
Since you located your database somewhere you’re always looking at, it should be easy for you to remember its existence. Consistency is key here. Every time (and I mean it, every time!) you start a new project/publication, do a presentation, give an interview, attend a conference, win an award - put it on your list. It may be helpful to list the dates as well. With time, it becomes your second nature. You can even make it as every new input equals a treat, so you get to celebrate all your triumphs while rewiring your brain.