Career Skills Workshop, Pt 1: Rock Your Professional Development ...

It?s career coach Friday again and I?m launching a ?career skills workshop? series here at www.mariewetmore.com!

Let?s kick it off today with a talk about keeping a delta file ? a critical career skill to help you be more effective and improve your productivity in the workplace.

I have to thank my husband, ever the productive professional, for introducing me to the concept of a Delta file. It?s going to rock your world, just like it rocked mine ? helping you continually improve your performance and increase your productivity year after year.

So what is a Delta file?

It?s a central location where you keep all your notes about how you?d improve your performance in the future. As you move forward with your career, your delta file is always there as a reference, reminding you of the productivity strategies, career skills, and professional lessons you learn over the years.

Not sure what to write in your file? Here are some questions to trigger ideas:

• Are there mistakes you want to avoid in the future?
• Is there anything you did recently that you would do differently in the future?
• Did you see someone make a professional blunder that you don?t want to make yourself?
• Did you get feedback that you don?t want to forget about?
• Have you read any articles about new tools or strategies that you want to try?

It all goes in your delta file!

How do you stay consistent with your delta file?

First, create a central location. It can be physical paper file, Word document, or text file. Then you can use these strategies?

If it?s a physical paper file, then you can simply use whatever note taking scheme you like, simply marking the pages that should go into the delta file as you take your regular notes throughout your workday. Then you can file it when you do your regular filing.

If you prefer typed notes, just create a regular routine for reflecting on your work performance and take notes. If you use Stephen Covey?s Getting Things Done (GTD) method for processing your papers, tasks, and ideas, then you can add notes to your delta file during your regular weekly review.

Whatever routine you choose, make sure it?s regular and that it?s??captured in your schedule. That way you won?t forget about it!

And just as a note, Jeff and I don?t just use our Delta files for our professional lives, we also use them for house projects, travel experiences, and even gardening. So ultimately, a delta file is not just a career coaching technique, but a life coaching strategy you can use anywhere you want to make improvements in your life!

What do you think? Do you keep track of your self-improvement ideas? Would you be more likely to take action on them if you did?

If you liked this article, check out: Multitasking Is Ruining Your Career ? 5 Ways To Stop Multitasking And Start Being Productive??

Set up a?complementary VIP discovery session with Marie! ?She coaches in her Boston area office or anywhere in the world (by phone or on Video Skype).

BE A HERO! SHARE THIS WITH SOMEONE WHO NEEDS IT.?

Will you help someone else by sharing this post?

Source: http://mariewetmore.com/2012/10/26/career-skills-workshop-pt-1-rock-your-professional-development-with-a-delta-file/

marchmadness mike d antoni nba trade rumors 2012 ncaa tournament schedule laurent robinson dantoni gillian anderson