Rewind, Reflect, Grow
Watch the Movie of Your Career in Slow Motion
Have you ever paused to look back at your career journey? Every decision, project, and task—big or small—has been a scene in the movie of your professional growth. Together, they form a narrative filled with turning points, challenges, and triumphs.
This week, we’re focusing on how revisiting your past work can reveal the hidden story of your progress. By reflecting on these moments, you’ll uncover valuable insights to inspire your next steps.
Turning Your Career Notes into a Highlight Reel
1. Revisit Your Career Journal
Dust off your old notebooks, project files, or task trackers. Think of them as your personal archive. Every note, checklist, and decision captures a snapshot of your professional growth. These records show how you’ve tackled obstacles, made impactful choices, and refined your skills.
Why It Matters: Revisiting past projects can help you identify your strengths, pivotal moments, and areas for improvement. Often, you’ll realize you’ve grown in ways you didn’t even notice—and are closer to your next milestone than you thought.
Action Tip: Choose a project from 1–2 years ago and ask:
What went well?
What decisions led to success?
How did this project shape your current skills or career direction?
2. Recognize Patterns and Turning Points
Career growth is rarely linear. Often, it happens in small but impactful moments. Examining your past work allows you to spot these moments and the patterns they reveal.
What to Look For:
Skills you mastered without realizing (e.g., conflict resolution, technical expertise).
Risks you took that paid off—or didn’t, but taught you invaluable lessons.
Specific projects or decisions that shifted your career direction.
Action Tip: Create a "Growth Map" by listing your most impactful projects, their outcomes, and what you learned. Then, identify common themes. For instance, you might notice that you excel at bringing order to chaos or at leading during transitions.
3. Celebrate the Small Wins
Your daily tasks may feel routine, but they’re the building blocks of something much larger. Each meeting you chaired, problem you solved, or goal you met is a scene in the larger movie of your career.
Why It’s Important: Small wins compound over time. Recognizing and celebrating them keeps you motivated and reminds you of the progress you’re making—even when the steps feel small.
Action Tip: Write a "Career Highlight Reel." Include:
Three moments you’re most proud of.
Challenges you’ve overcome.
Surprising lessons you’ve learned along the way.
Want to Take it a Step Further?
Storyboard your career to help you visualize your journey
Imagine your career as a film where you’re the main character. Are you the problem-solver, visionary, or resilient hero? Creating a storyboard helps you see your career path clearly and plan where you’re headed next.
How to Create Your Storyboard
No need to be an artist—stick figures and simple sketches work just fine. Focus on key scenes that highlight your growth and achievements.
Title Your Story: Choose a title that sums up your journey so far, like:
"Climbing the Ladder of Impact"
"From Chaos to Clarity."
Add a Tagline: Showcase what makes your career unique, such as:
"Building trust, one project at a time."
"Every challenge is a step to success."
Key Moments to Include:
Major accomplishments (e.g., finishing a big project, earning a promotion).
Challenges that taught valuable lessons.
Milestones that shaped who you are.
Why It’s Worth It
Clarity: See the big picture and spot patterns.
Motivation: Celebrate your wins and feel inspired.
Direction: Map your path forward with confidence.
Take a few minutes to storyboard your career—it’s your story, make it one to remember!
Final Thought
Your career is already unfolding, moment by moment. By rewinding and reflecting on the past, you can direct the next scene with clarity and purpose.
Remember: you are the writer, director, and star of your professional journey. Take time this week to press play on your career story—and watch how far you’ve come.