How to Share Your Gifts by Tracking Your Accomplishments
“Never do the work carelessly because you wish to hide your gifts. Remember, that work is his. You are his co-worker. Therefore, he depends on you for that special work. Do the work with him, and the work will be done for him. The talents God has given you are not yours—they have been given to you for your use, for the glory of God. There can be no half-measures in the work” (Mother Teresa).
A few months ago, I was approached with an interesting freelance opportunity. The women leading the project were leaders in the industry with impressive accomplishments and awards. So, on one hand, I felt excited that my name had been thrown in the hat for consideration. On the other hand, I was uncertain. Was I qualified? Could I keep up with these high achievers? Could I deliver results?
Looking back, I think the answer is yes … maybe slightly under-qualified but completely capable. But, at the time, there was a small, persistent “no” in the back of my mind. And that “no” was backed up by a resume that didn’t really reflect the depth of my abilities.
It was a wakeup call: If I’m presented with an opportunity that I truly want to pursue, I need to be ready. I need to be able to articulate my skills, yes, but more than that, I need to communicate—and truly believe—that I have so much to offer. Documenting skills learned and earned in work and life can help.
The Benefits of Tracking Your Accomplishments
Whether you’re gainfully employed, running your own business, or maintaining a household and caring for children, keeping an up-to-date list of accomplishments is always good practice:
It Can Help Build Confidence
I work in children’s media, and I talk about this a lot for children, but it’s true for grown-ups, too: Confidence (we would call it having an “I can do it!” attitude) is a key part of being resilient in the face of adversity. Having a tangible list of our skills and accomplishments reminds us of what we’re capable of. It helps us to say, “I did that, so I can (with practice) do this, too.”
It Can Help Us Slow Down
It can be easy for us to become complacent or just too busy with our daily routine that we fail to keep resumes or portfolios up to date. Acknowledging our accomplishments requires us to push pause on what we’re currently working on to evaluate our past work. Though especially challenging for high achievers, like me, who just want to move on to the next thing, reflection is crucial. Understanding what worked well, where we’ve failed, and what roles really bring our spirit to life helps us move forward strategically, with more meaningful results.
Consider setting a meeting on your calendar each month to document everything that happened that month. (Fun fact: When I asked my editor/Marine Corps officer husband to read this piece, he said, “Hey, the Marine Corps recommends this; they call it making an ‘I love me’ binder.)
It Can Keep Us Steady
Logging our highs and lows can keep us steady in rough and still waters. It gives us a way to separate ourselves from the things we do, which helps build a healthy attitude of detachment. We can more easily keep our emotions rightly ordered (and our pride in check) and have more mental space to honor and give thanks to our Creator God.
It Can Help Us Serve Others Better
This type of document can reveal strengths and uncover passions. Tracking projects and the skills learned and leveraged for those projects can help you identify recurring themes you can use to hone in on how you can best serve others in your job or through a product or service. And, if you’re tempted to always say “yes” to new projects, you can use this document as a guide to help you pursue opportunities that make your unique gifts shine.
Getting Started
So how do you begin, and what do you include? Each month, write down key accomplishments from work and life:
Start With Work
Begin with your most recent projects and accomplishments, and work your way backward. When you can, include numbers, data, and tangible results. Don’t forget about the relational element of your work; case studies and client feedback offer a unique and valuable perspective.
Include Accomplishments From Your Non-work Life
Ask yourself, “What challenges did I overcome?”, “What problems did I solve?”, and, “How did I use my skills for the service of others?”
When You Have Time, Go Deeper
What skills do you use daily? What are some formative moments from your life? What made them so impactful? What innate abilities have helped you overcome difficulties? When do you feel most yourself? What activities leave you feeling most energized? What skills would you like to develop?
Remember that this document is a tool for you. It doesn’t have to be neat and tidy, and you don’t have to show it to others. When an opportunity presents itself, reference this document, and choose things to include on your resume or application that provide evidence that you’re the right fit for the job. You might use the answers to your reflection questions as talking points in an interview, copy for your portfolio website, content for email newsletters, or the chapters of your memoir.
Rooted in Christ
You can also use this document as a springboard to prayer. Invite the Holy Spirit to strengthen the areas where you feel uneasy. Ask Him for courage to present yourself with confidence and charisma. And, of course, be sure to practice. Write down some key phrases—what you’d like others to know about you and what you have to offer—and then say them aloud. Ask the Lord to help you believe in the truth that you are worthy and capable.
The key to moving through life with quiet confidence is to consider who we are and what we have accomplished in relationship with Christ. The Lord loves us intimately, not because of what we’ve done but because of who we are—his beloved daughters. Our skills, abilities, desires, and opportunities are gifts given to us by a loving Father. It’s our responsibility to identify them and put them to good use for the Kingdom. Keeping a living document like this one can help us do that and more. Documenting our skills and accomplishments can help boost our confidence, cultivate a healthy sense of detachment, and remain ready for any opportunities that come our way.
Tara Wright is an artist, Marine wife, and happy Catholic. By day, Tara creates content for Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit force behind the beloved children’s show “Sesame Street.” She is the owner of Tara Wright Illustration, where she specializes in custom art and illustration, and is co-founder of Scatter and Sow. After spending several years in New York City and Fredericksburg, Virginia, Tara and her family are currently back home in Oklahoma, riding out the pandemic closer to family.