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The Yay Folder

Yay by Natalie Johnson via Flickr CC BY NC

In a world of online comments and Instagram filters, we are constantly reminded that we are not perfect. That we could be better. Stronger. Smarter. How do you divert your attention from the lives of others as seen through perfectly edited LinkedIn recommendations and focus on your own development?

I had a mentor when I was in my first real job who would ask a select group of professional contacts for a quick note on the things she did well and the things she needed to work on. The things she needed to get better at would be included in the development plan she built for herself. The things she did well were stashed away in an email folder that she would turn to when she needed to be reminded that she was smart, funny and good at her job, especially on days when she didn't feel like she was.

I stole this idea. Everyone has days when you have an unhappy client who takes everything out on you. Days when you know someone is going to finally find out you've been pretending at this job and are just making it up as you go along. Days when you don't feel qualified to stack boxes, much less manage projects and relationships.

That's when I turn to my Yay folder. Every so often, I'll get a note or an email from someone telling me I did a good job. Telling me a project I worked on was exactly right. I squirrel those away in my Yay folder so when I'm feeling unqualified, unintelligent or generally unworthy, I can go back to those notes and emails and remember that I am qualified, I do work hard and other people think the same. And then I can go back to getting things done.

Everyone needs a reminder sometimes. Start a folder to hold these reminders. And send a few to those who have done something remarkable so they have a reminder, too.
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