002: Embracing SlackLog
Effortless Engineering Diaries
Why should I track my work?
With the performance review season approaching, it’s crucial to have a clear record of our work achievements and challenges. It's not just about memory, but about having a tangible account of our professional journey. That’s where approaches like Slacklog, BragDocs, and WorkLog come in.
In this context, I want to highlight two exceptional resources.
⭐️ First, Julia Evans' concept of a Brag-Doc, a brilliant tool for people to articulate their achievements and impact. It's a proactive way to document your successes and contributions, ensuring they're recognized.
⭐️ Then there’s Gergely Orosz's Work-log, which offers a template for keeping a detailed record of daily tasks and learnings. Both these tools have set a standard for effective self-documentation in our industry.
If the BragDoc and Worklog sound great but haven’t worked for you, just like for me, then here’s a creative easy-to-use approach that’s worked for me.
Challenges with current approaches
However, we're all imperfect human beings. I definitely am. Despite the best intentions, so many of us consistently fail to record our accomplishments and learnings in these formats.
The reasons vary: some find the process time-consuming, others may forget; for some, it feels like another task in our already busy schedule, for some, getting past the initial inertia to these methods in itself is tricky.
So essentially:
How do we reduce the inertia of maintaining these records and ensure they are in sync with our career aspirations?
We need a solution that fits seamlessly into our daily routine, making it less of a chore and more of a natural part of our workday.
🎯 Furthermore, aligning these records with our organization's career framework, like the one at Dropbox, adds another layer of complexity.
It's not just about jotting down what we did; it's about contextualizing our work in line with the competencies and goals outlined in our career development path.Let's dive into how we can make this process straightforward without it feeling like another task on our plate.
Introducing SlackLog
What is a Slacklog?
A Slacklog is a personal work diary in the form of a private channel, within Slack, where you can regularly jot down achievements, challenges, and learnings in a format that suits your style – be it bullet points or narrative. It's private, flexible, and integrates seamlessly with your daily workflow.
How does a Slacklog work?
[Engineer] -- (Weekly/Daily Updates)--> [Slack Worklog Channel]
[Slack Worklog Channel] -- (Records Updates)--> [Personal Archive]
[Personal Archive] -- (Reflects & Aligns)--> [Career Framework Goals]
Personal Work Diary: A space within Slack for logging your professional activities.
Private Channel: You create it for yourself: #name-worklog
Regular Updates: About your work: goals hit, challenges, and 💡 learnings
Flexible Format: Choose between bullet points or narrative style
Seamless Integration: Part of your daily workflow, easy and accessible
Reminders: Set Slack reminders to update it
Superpower: Link to actual Slack convos for context 💪🏻
Why Slacklog?
Informality: Slack's informal setting reduces the barrier to entry, encouraging regular updates
Flexibility: Supports various styles of updates
Accessibility: Always at your fingertips, integrated into your daily tools
Career Framework Alignment: Helps align your achievements with career goals and organizational standards
Examples in Action
Let’s consider two engineers, Arjit and Tijra who have embraced SlackLog to document their journeys, aligned with Dropbox's career framework.
Tijra prefers an unstructured format:
Arjit prefers a structured format:
FAQs on Slacklog
Why wouldn't my manager remember/answer these questions about my work?
Answer: While your manager is responsible for overseeing your job, they're not solely responsible for managing your career. Your Slacklog helps you take ownership of your career progression, providing a clear and personalized record of your achievements and challenges.
Why not just discuss my work updates in our 1:1s instead of using a Slacklog?
Answer: 1:1s are for career growth and coaching, not just for status updates. A Slacklog keeps track of your daily work, so you can use 1:1s for more important discussions about your development and goals.
Additionally, check Julia Evans’ excellent tweet on what to talk to your manager in your 1:1s.
Should I add my manager to my Slacklog?
Answer: Ideally, no. The Slacklog is primarily a tool for self-reflection and personal record-keeping. You should manage and maintain it independently. However, you can choose to share relevant excerpts or summaries with your manager during performance reviews or one-on-ones to provide a comprehensive view of your work and progress.
How often should I update my Slacklog?
Answer: It depends on your workflow and preferences. Some find daily updates useful, while others prefer a weekly summary. The key is consistency, so choose a frequency that you can maintain comfortably.
What if I forget to update my Slacklog?
Answer: Setting up regular reminders in Slack can help. Also, remember that it's okay to miss an entry; just update it as soon as you can. The aim is to build a habit, not to create pressure.
How detailed should my Slacklog entries be?
Answer: It varies. Some people prefer detailed accounts, while others opt for brief bullet points. Start with what feels natural to you and adjust as needed. The goal is to capture enough information so that you can recall and articulate your contributions and learnings effectively.
Is a Slacklog visible to others in my organization?
Answer: Typically, a Slacklog is kept in a private channel, so it's not visible to others unless you choose to share it.
Can Slacklogs help in my professional development?
Answer: Absolutely! Regularly documenting your achievements, challenges, and learnings can provide valuable insights into your growth areas, strengths, and career trajectory. This self-awareness is key to professional development.
Should I back up my Slacklog somewhere else?
Absolutely! While Slacklog is super convenient, remember it's within a work-controlled environment. The reasons why backing-up is crucial:
In Case of Layoffs: In the unfortunate event of layoffs, access to work accounts like Slack might be cut off immediately. You don't want to lose all that valuable info you've been gathering.
Control Over Your Data: It’s always a good idea to have control over your professional data and achievements. Keeping a backup ensures your work diary stays with you, no matter where your career takes you.
How long has your team been using Slacklog?
Great observation. The key to its success has been the ease of use and integration into our daily routines. Our team has been consistently using Slacklog for over a year now. And I have been using it for two.
The Path Forward
Ready to take control of your professional narrative? Start your own Slacklog today.
Whether you're a fan of the structured approach or the free-flowing style, experiment with its format, make it a part of your routine. And use it as a springboard for your 1:1 discussions, performance reviews, and career planning sessions. Here's how:
Document Regularly: Make it a habit. The more detailed your Slacklog, the more material you have for meaningful career discussions.
Align with Goals: Use your Slacklog to directly link your daily tasks to your career aspirations and the competencies outlined in your organization's career framework.
Prepare for 1:1s: Review your Slacklog before your 1:1s. It will help you have more focused, productive conversations about your career progression.
Demonstrate Impact: Use your Slacklog entries as evidence of your achievements and challenges during performance reviews. It makes your contributions tangible and easy to discuss.
In short, Slacklog isn't just about recording what you do; it's about highlighting your growth, celebrating your achievements, and directly contributing to your career development. It's a simple tool with the power to transform how you view, discuss, and advance your professional journey.
** — You’re the one who’s responsible for the growth of your career. While your manager is responsible for overseeing your job, they're not solely responsible for managing your career.