This puppy has nothing to do with my post, but he's definitely a keeper!
I may be stating the obvious on this one. The painfully obvious. But it’s so important to me that I feel compelled to make sure you are in the loop too.
It’s called a Keepers file, and everybody needs one. You’ll know a “keeper” when you see it – it’s an email, tweet or otherwise glowing note about you that makes you smile from ear-to-ear. The kind that makes your whole day, week or month. Keepers are like gold nuggets that never lose their value. You’ll know it’s a Keeper because every time you read it you feel energized, confident and/or appreciated.
Your Keepers deserve a home. They are proof of how hard you’ve worked, the impact you’ve had — or maybe they just make you laugh. I began saving Keepers a few years ago when I started training new hires at Google (thanks to a tip from a more seasoned co-worker). As the emails came in, I would label them “Keepers” and read through the email folder on rainy days when I needed a pick-me-up.
Now I’ve figured out a better system – every time a Keeper comes in, I copy and paste it into a Google Doc with a note about who it came from. WOW. What a difference the new system has made! Emails were a little tough to sift through – the Google doc is like a Keepers file on a quad-shot latte.
I don’t read Keepers to be vain, and I don’t re-read them all that often. I read them when I need a reminder about the difference I made in someone else’s life, or an accomplishment I am proud of. I read them when I’ve forgotten that I have so much to be thankful for. I hope you are doing yourself the favor of saving Keepers too.
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I totally agree. EVERYONE should have a keepers file. Sometimes I choose to print these keepers out, but I also like to file them away somewhere on my computer. When I need a pick-me-up I go back and re-read and it’s great!
Wow, what a great idea! I’ve never thought of this before. I will start doing it
. So much fun!
WOW, I have a keeper file and I didn’t even know it!
So intriguing to hear someone else used that as a trainer…I suggest to most of my trainees to create a file in either their email or documents to keep all the messages about their great work or accomplishments. Mine are always called my “Yay Me” folders.
Like you I don’t check them too often, but when I do they always bring a smile to my face!
Elisa – that’s awesome that you do the same thing, and encourage trainees to do the same! We are kindred trainers, it seems
I would like to add that everybody should (or probably already has) a keeper’s file or box for physical things like cards, letters, ticket stubs, mementoes. The “shoebox in your closet” that I go through once in a while can really cheer me up.
Thanks Marie – that is a great idea! My friends and I used to create “memory boxes” for every year – that was lots of fun. It’s such a trip looking back through things like that too!
great idea to start accumulating inspirational emails/tweets/notes and even articles that help you stay motivated- will def try the google docs approach… because i’m a very visual person i also use a site called image spark (http://www.imgspark.com/)… basically a community where you can upload/share images to create mood boards, etc- especially helpful for those in design related fields.
Thanks Mjsays! I love the concept of Img Spark – can’t wait to play around with it. My friend also just sent me a link to Oprah’s Dream Board – an online vision board tool. I’m sure there are lots of them out there, but this one seemed worth checking out!
I should’ve started doing this a LONG time ago!! I need to remember to not only be a project manager in my professional life, but in my personal life as well. I guess sometimes it’s just so much easier to leave that hat at work, and put on my oh-the-dishes-can-wait-til-tomorrow-The-Hills-is-on hat when I get home instead.
Brilliant, though. It’s a bit like having various people write parts of your eulogy, but while you’re still alive (which is something we all wish we could hear!), and then making a scrapbook out of all the good stuff that makes you you.
I’m going to start sorting through 4 years of Gmail, stat!
Kerri – So glad you like the concept! It is so true that we often leave the project manager greatness at the office. Whenever I have found ways to apply it to my personal life, I’m always pretty darn happy with the outcome. Your line about The Hills cracked me up – I’ve been guilty of delaying many a task for that show…
Have fun setting up your Keepers file! I had to comb through many years of gmail too when I first set mine up.
Thanks for your comment!
Hey Jenny! Great post, as always
Just the other day I found a little notebook that I had buried in my laptop bag (it has Michael Scott’s photo and the word “Leadership” on the cover…love that Target $1 bin!). On the inside cover was a nice, thankful post-it someone had left on my desk during my first weeks as a consultant. It made me smile after a rough couple of weeks!
Thanks Trina! That is such a great story – I love finding notes like that. What a great way to brighten the week
love it jenny really thank you =)
Thanks Sarah! So glad you liked it