What is a Work Diary? And Why Should I Keep One?

Harvard Business gurus recently suggested that we all keep work diaries. According to the article, the benefits include: focus, patience, planning and personal growth.

A diary is a great place to note your accomplishments. And you can also track the things that bring you joy on the job. As you objectively write about your career highlights, you might be humbled at how long it really takes to achieve your goals. The diary can help you have more patience with your career progression and it can help you plan for ongoing and continual growth.

A work diary can also provide a great outlet for workplace stress. As you document situations, you can process your feelings and reactions in a way that is helpful rather than harmful to you or your career. You may find that your writing voice is filled with cynicism or negativity. Perhaps this signals that you are not in the right position or it may simply mean that you need an attitude adjustment.

The Harvard folks found that people who kept work diaries were able to find new jobs much quicker after being laid off than people who had not kept diaries. All the participants in the study agreed they gained valuable insights into themselves and the career paths they wanted to follow. I say, “Write on.”

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