Here is a quote – Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.
—Franklin D Roosevelt
Defined as a thing done successfully with effort, skill and courage, achievements and failures are invaluable aspects of life. Accomplishments are in no way just an exaggerated way of relating your skills, and experience to the world, but they are also a tangible proof of your past performances. Your proficiency in certain skills, knowledge, and experience are more often evaluated on the basis of your accomplishments. In addition to this, when you suffer a setback and are overwhelmed by the feeling of dejection, it is your achievements that will serve as a motivational tool to get you up on your feet and running. While resting on your laurels is not desirable, cherishing your achievements – no matter how trifling or big they are – makes perfect sense. The listing process enables you to have a specific idea of things that worked in your favor, which facilitated the accomplishment of those feats.
Numbers speak for you
Documenting your accomplishments will be most effective when you quantify them with the use of numbers or percentages. For instance, you are appearing for an interview. In such a scenario, you are more likely to leave an enduring impression on the board members if your CV reads something like ‘increased sales by 25 percent’ instead of ‘increased sales’. This implies quantification of achievements, which, if applied, will vastly impress the board members. Quantification can help you demonstrate to a potential employer that you can do the job and do it well. However, if you do not have the exact figures, then it is better to estimate as long as you state that the figures are fairly accurate and can be confirmed if an interviewer asks a previous employer for a reference.
Identifying your accomplishments
The best way to determine your accomplishments is to consider your duties and skills. Ask yourself what positive difference you made doing a particular activity in your own life and in those of others around you. It is advisable to review work-related feedback – both negative as well as positive – that you received while accomplishing the feat. But refrain from counting skills you were expected to possess to perform your work duties until and unless you can demonstrate specifically how you used them to your benefit.
If you still are unable to identify your accomplishments, then relying on your peers, family members or even previous employers for an honest opinion is a sane thing to do. These people know you well and hence are in the position to provide you with an objective assessment of reasons that makes you tick. In addition to this, they may also aid in quantifying the difference you made to a specific set-up or to your own life. Also, consider your achievements as a part of the team. This not only reflects your ability to gel in a team environment but also highlights your commitment to a collective cause.
