3 Unique Ways to Get a Promotion at Work - The Muse

3 Unique Ways to Get a Promotion at Work - The Muse3 Unique Ways to Get a Promotion at WorkDo you know someone who has run a marathon? Did you notice how he or she trained? Marathoners are very systematic in their training. They log their mileage, pace, and rests so they can best measure their progress and performance. Without tracking they would have no knowledge of their improvement. They might as well be running in place.Your careers a marathon, too, but do you track your performance? Do you have a system in place to measure your improvement and reach your goals?While marathon training often involves fancy GPS watches, microchips in your shoe, and other technology, all you need for your career are tools you already have- some Excel or Google Drive spreadsheets.Here are three easy ways to track your success and boost your potential this year.1. Start a Learning LogHave you ever found it difficult to think of the things youve accomplished off the top of your head when asked? Despite being busy all day, every day- your mind suddenly goes blank and you cant think of any recent wins. A learning log is a great way to combat that (common) problem, and you can create it using a spreadsheet. Title the first column Date and the second one What I Learned. At the end of each day, fill that second column with something you learned about yourself, your job, your company, your industry- really anything. Youll find you not only can rattle off information way better when prompted, but youll become acutely aware of your progress (or lack thereof), things happening at the company, and how you prioritize your work. This puts you in fleck to foresee potential inefficiencies, become a champion for your company, work smarter, and at the very least- share what youre doing when prompted.Bonus Youll also make the fruchtwein of your days. If you find that its 2 PM and you havent learned anything significant yet, youll refocus your efforts for the remainder of the day.2. Create a Promo tion PlanWhat pairs really nicely with the learning log is another spreadsheet, called a Promotion Plan. Its a document that youll create to use when you have a meeting with your manager to discuss your performance. (Already have that performance review on the calendar? Now youll be prepared)Heres what your Promotion Plan should includePosition Requirements AuditList out the requirements of the position you would like next, or whatever responsibilities you would like your promotion to include- this can be within your department or even on another team. If youre unsure of those requirements, take someone whos currently in that position out for coffee. (Of course, if you work at a small company and moving up would involve this person losing his job- tread carefully. You dont want to come off as cutthroat.) Then create three columns, titled Needs Some Love, Meets, Exceeds. Fill these out as honestly as possible. When the time is right (and you might need to set a meeting), ask your bos s to also weigh in on where you stand. Individual RequirementsLabel the next group of tabs Requirement One, Requirement Two, and so on. Heres where you can go more in-depth on any items that need some love. For example, if delivering presentations is a requirement necessity of the job you want, you should jot down any time you give a presentation, even if only to your internal team members. If there arent any upcoming opportunities, you should step up and volunteer to present at a meeting. You can also use this to motivate yourself to develop the required skill outside of the office. For example, sign up for an online public speaking course, join Toastmasters, or even watch TED talks. Just Be sure to log all activities related to the required skill, and any accomplishments that happen as a result. Now, when you meet with your boss- or he or she presents the case to promote you to his or her managers- theres a document that can speak for your motivation as well as your achievements. 3. Create a Feedback and Kudos FolderThis is your final document. Heres where you log any and all verbal and written feedback you receive as it comes in. Save those emails from clients about your great work, as well as the notes from colleagues that say you really helped the team on a certain project.Anytime a co-worker or client says, Youre really good at that, or I appreciate you taking care of XYZ, or Thanks for helping me with a certain project, you should add those kudos to a running document as well. It can feel awkward to keep track of people saying nice things about you, but having a running list of compliments will inspire you to master those skills that need improvement.Just remember not to sell yourself short. Its easy to think, Oh that was just a passing comment Its not that important. I wont track it. Instead of the, Oh that was just mindset, take the opposite approach and assume its all significant. You can always go back later and decide if youd like to cut something. Its much easier to make a case for your promotion when you have tons of compliments you need to whittle down, as opposed to no examples of positive feedback. Not to mention, its a nice little ego boost on a day when things arent going according to plan. Remember, your career is a marathon. To avoid running in place, you need to measure your performance. You dont even need any fancy technology unterstellung three spreadsheets will give you a system to track your progress and achieve your goals.