Business owners wear many hats. Your business’s success depends on how well you manage operations, make crucial decisions, and drive growth. But with so much going on, it can be easy to overlook one vital component of your professional life—taking stock of your achievements. Here’s where a “brag sheet” comes in handy. You can use a brag sheet, also called a “hype document” or “list of accomplishments,” to track your successes, reflect on your growth, and advocate for yourself.
We’ll discuss what a brag sheet is, why it’s essential for business owners, and how to create one effectively in this blog post. We’ll also share a template at the end to help you get started.
What is a Brag Sheet?
A brag sheet records your accomplishments, key projects, and personal or business milestones. In essence, it’s your personal record of everything that’s contributed to your business’ success. Whether you’ve expanded your business, led a significant project, or resolved a crisis, a brag sheet ensures that all these efforts are recognized.
The term “brag” may sound boastful, but it’s more about recognizing your hard work and dedication. Keeping track of your accomplishments can help you identify your strengths, identify areas for improvement, and prepare you for future opportunities, such as business expansion.
Why You Need a Brag Sheet as a Business Owner
It’s easy to forget some of your key accomplishments in the whirlwind of running a business. There are several reasons why a brag sheet is a good idea:
1. Boost Your Confidence
It’s normal for business owners to face setbacks and challenges. You stay motivated when you keep track of your victories, especially during tough times. You can use a brag sheet as a reminder of what you’ve already accomplished. It can boost your morale and give you the confidence to take on new challenges.
2. Prepare for Business Milestones
A detailed record of your accomplishments can help you communicate your value to external stakeholders, whether you’re applying for a loan, seeking investment, or even selling your business. In addition, it provides talking points for business pitches, interviews, and board reviews.
3. Track Business and Personal Growth
Brag sheets aren’t just about listing what you did; they’re about reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, and how you’ve grown. In the same way that your business evolves, so do your skills, leadership abilities, and strategies. Keeping a brag sheet helps you track your growth trajectory, which is essential to continuous improvement.
4. Highlight Areas of Focus
Regularly updating your brag sheet will allow you to identify patterns in your work. It may happen that you spend too much time on operations rather than innovation. Keeping track of these trends can help you determine where to shift your focus and delegate.
5. Advocate for Yourself
Understanding your worth is vital when you negotiate with a vendor, hire a top-tier employee, or network with investors. Your brag sheet can help you tell your business’s and your own story about your contributions and accomplishments.
How to Create a Brag Sheet
Now that you understand the importance of a brag sheet, here’s how you can start creating one.
1. Choose Your Format
You can make your brag sheet as simple or as detailed as you like. You could use a simple document or a more organized spreadsheet. There are people who prefer digital tools, like Google Docs or Evernote, and there are people who prefer project management tools, such as Trello. Updating it consistently is key.
2. Start with Major Accomplishments
List your most significant achievements first. Consider milestones such as launching a new product, increasing revenue, winning an award, or expanding your team. Those are the events that show your business’s growth clearly.
3. Log Smaller, Day-to-Day Wins
Don’t overlook the smaller achievements, which can add up over time. For example:
- Securing a key partnership
- Resolving a complex customer issue
- Implementing a new system that improves efficiency
- Coaching or mentoring a team member
Consistent small wins often serve as building blocks for larger accomplishments.
4. Include Quantifiable Metrics
Your accomplishments should be accompanied by numbers whenever possible. It could be an increase in sales, a cost-saving initiative, or an increase in customer satisfaction. Using metrics can help you track the impact of your work and make your achievements more concrete.
Instead of writing “increased sales,” you could say, “increased sales by 20% over the last quarter.”
5. Add Personal Development Achievements
In a brag sheet, you should not only highlight your business achievements, but also your personal growth. Have you taken a course, attended a seminar, or improved your leadership skills? Keeping a record of your accomplishments can serve as a reminder of the value of continuous learning, which is crucial to business success.
6. Organize By Themes or Goals
Over time, you may notice that your accomplishments fall into specific categories, such as marketing, operations, or team building. Organize your brag sheet based on these themes so that you can spot patterns and evaluate your performance.
You can also organize it by goals. The accomplishments you make in achieving your annual goals could be categorized based on the goals they helped you achieve. You can also use this method to stay on track with your business goals.
7. Update Regularly
Your brag sheet should be a living document that you update on a regular basis if you want to make the most of it. Adding new entries every two weeks or once a month can be useful for some business owners. By doing so, you keep the document current and make sure you don’t forget anything.
Brag Sheet Template
Here’s a simple template to help you get started:
Year/Quarter:
Business Growth:
- Key Metrics (Revenue, Sales, Profit, etc.)
- New Product Launches or Services Offered
- Major Partnerships or Deals Secured
Operational Improvements:
- Efficiency Gains
- Cost-Saving Initiatives
- Process Improvements
Team Development:
- New Hires
- Mentorship/Coaching Achievements
- Team Collaboration Efforts
Personal Development:
- Courses/Workshops Attended
- Leadership Skills Developed
- New Certifications
Other Wins:
- Customer Testimonials
- Industry Awards
- Media Mentions or Public Speaking Engagements
Final Thoughts
Brag sheets are much more than just achievements – they are powerful tools for reflection, growth, and advocacy. Take the time to acknowledge your hard work as a business owner. With a well-maintained brag sheet, you’ll always have a clear picture of where you’ve been and where you’re headed, helping you make smarter decisions, set better goals, and confidently advocate for yourself when necessary.
Now, it’s time to start building your brag sheet!
