I'm not doing quite so well with this goal thing (especially since it's already halfway through April) but I'm still trying to keep up with it!
March Goal Progress: I've been pretty good with salsa, going to lessons almost every week, and also going to the social dances on Fridays (so far, it's been my only Friday night activity). I didn't get as far with SQL because after that small portion of my project, I didn't need it anymore, so it was hard to justify work hours to devote to it.
Professional Goal:
VBA: VBA is a language used to build macros in Excel and Powerpoint. I've already started learning it (and master it!) by working on my current project. I wrote a code that allows me to format, copy, and paste charts, words, etc from my excel sheet to my powerpoint presentation, at which point, I have a separate macro that puts it into the exact same position each time. Horray for time saved!
Personal Goal
Bragging: I've realized that I don't give myself enough credit for the work that I do. Like many people, I'm my own harshest critic, and I'm trying to actively change how I judge myself. I've been reading "Lean In" by Cheryl Sandberg, and what strikes me from her book is how great the difference is between how men and women perceive themselves. Women just are so much more likely to be riddled with self-doubt. For example, men are more likely to reach for opportunities that they want and learn the skill on the job, while women only reach for opportunities once they feel ready. At Google, where people are encouraged to suggest self-promotions, men are way more likely than women to submit their own names. Men feel qualified for jobs when they meet 60% of the requirements, while women feel like they need to meet 100%. As a self-doubting woman, I don't know how men do it. But it would be such a blessing to have that kind of confidence (not arrogance, just confidence). So I start with a baby step, learn how to brag.
Nice job following through on your goals!
ReplyDeleteThat's cool that you're using SQL and VBA at work. I've never used VBA before, but I can see how that could be really useful in automating stuff you do in Excel and PowerPoint.
I think the key is that it generally doesn't hurt to try. If you're only 60% qualified but you're interested in the job, give it a shot. You have nothing to lose. Same thing with promotions. If you feel like you deserve one, bring it up with your manager. There's no point worrying about whether you get the job or promotion because that's out of your control. There's also no point doubting yourself; instead, just focus on building skills, taking actions, asking questions, seeking opportunities. Basically, focus on what you can do, not what's out of your control (worrying doesn't help anyone).
Seems like you've been learning a lot and also reflecting a lot. Keep it up!
My mom always says, sometimes you've got to toot your own horn!
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