DOABLE

• CHALLENGE #1
  Identify one recurring task or a small project you're involved in, and brainstorm at least one way to improve its efficiency or outcome. Propose this improvement to your supervisor or team member, along with a suggested deadline to implement the improvement.

• CHALLEGE #2
  At least once this week, proactively ask for feedback on a specific piece of your work or a project you've completed. And, when given a new task, observe the assumptions you make about the task and come up with one question to ask for clarification before starting the task, instead of making the assumption.

• CHALLENGE #3
  For your next important meeting or instruction session, consciously choose your seating or listening position to best suit your focus—whether it’s sitting closer to the speaker or sitting away from distractions while on videoconference meeting. Actively take notes in a way that works best for you, and be prepared to repeat back one key instruction or takeaway to confirm your understanding.

This week’s module is DOABLE - meaning "within your power". Let’s discuss three strategies to approach tasks, projects, and hands-on experience.

STRATEGY #1: Own Your Responsibilities

When you wait to be told what to do, your supervisor may be tempted to micromanage or babysit you. To minimize this temptation in others, take a look around.

This means look around your work environment and team projects to identify ways to contribute, propose solutions, and take initiative rather than wait for someone to notice you have nothing to work on. 

This strategy isn’t about overstepping your bounds or taking on tasks without understanding the expectations or deadlines. And it's not about going rogue as an irresponsible employee.

This strategy positions you to anticipate challenges that need to be addressed, manage your own time, and become more independent while collaborating with others.

This way, your supervisor and team members perceive you as a valuable, self-starting team member who is invested in the success of the organization. They'll trust you with more responsibility and see you as a future leader.

It's understandable to feel hesitant to take initiative, especially if you're new or unsure of what others expect from you. You might fear making a mistake or overstepping.

But it pays off to be proactive. When you identify a need and propose a solution, you demonstrate initiative and a commitment to contributing value–your value as a professional.

Based on this strategy, here's a challenge to take on this week: Identify one recurring task or a small project you're involved in, and brainstorm at least one way to improve its efficiency or outcome. Propose this improvement to your supervisor or team member, along with a suggested deadline to implement the improvement.

This is within your power because you have unique insights from your perspective, and brainstorming improvements requires your analytical skills and initiative.

STRATEGY #2: Leave Room to Learn

Knowing it all leaves little room to learn. Getting in the habit of welcoming feedback helps improve your work and helps you practice not taking things personally.

This means embrace a mindset of continuous learning, actively welcome feedback, and seek help and clarity when needed rather than make assumptions.

This strategy isn’t about admitting weakness or constantly asking for help. And it's not about avoiding responsibility to gain understanding.

This strategy positions you to evolve from a "know-it-all" to a continuous learner.

This way, your supervisor and team members see you as an adaptable, coachable professional who desires to grow and collaborate. They'll appreciate your willingness to improve and your proactive approach to understanding.

It's understandable to feel defensive while taking in feedback, or reluctant to ask questions for fear of appearing uninformed.

But it pays off. It pays off to be open-minded and curious. Every piece of feedback you get is an opportunity to refine your skills. And asking clarifying questions upfront saves time and prevents mistakes down the line.

Based on this strategy, here's a challenge to take on this week: At least once, proactively ask for feedback on a specific piece of your work or a project you've completed. And, when given a new task, observe the assumptions you make about the task and come up with one question to ask for clarification before starting the task, instead of making the assumption.

This is within your power because you control your mindset towards learning and your ability to seek and welcome feedback.

STRATEGY #3: Your Way is the Best Way

Demonstrate the respect you have for your unique ways of taking everything in.

This means recognize and honor your unique ways of listening, processing information, and focusing. It's about creating conditions that optimize your learning and engagement.

This strategy isn’t about being inflexible or demanding special treatment. And it's not about ignoring standard professional etiquette.

This strategy positions you to move from conforming to one learning style to being authentic in your individual learning style. You'll shift from self-doubt to self-trust, from ignoring your needs to honoring them, and from fear of disclosure to seeking clarity.

This way, your supervisor and team members benefit from your optimal engagement and contributions. They'll appreciate your self-awareness and your ability to ensure you have the information you need to succeed.

It's understandable to feel pressured to conform to how others learn or take notes, or to feel embarrassed if your attention wanders.

So, it pays off. It pays off to be self-aware and strategic about your learning and work environment. When you optimize how you receive and process information, you increase your comprehension and effectiveness.

Based on this strategy, here's a challenge to take on this week: For your next important meeting, consciously choose your seating or listening position to best suit your focus—whether it’s sitting closer to the speaker or sitting away from distractions while on videoconference meeting. Actively take notes in a way that works best for you, and be prepared to repeat back one key instruction or takeaway to confirm your understanding.

This is within your power because you have control over your position in a space and your personal note-taking methods. You also have the agency to ask for clarification.

So, there you have it. Three strategies to approach your tasks, projects, and hands-on experience.

1. Own your responsibilities.

2. Leave room to learn.

3. Your way is the best way.

Remember to choose a challenge to take on this week and have a discussion about it with your supervisor. At the end of the week, you’ll have the opportunity to enter your reflections in your TRACK Record Log.

Have a great week!

• At the beginning of each week, you’ll get a new soft skill challenge to work on. Share it with your supervisor.

• At the end of each week, you’re supervisor will send you a link to add notes to your TRACK Record log.

• For questions and issues that arise, your supervisor is available to provide a listening ear and help to find solutions.

Where are the sessions held?
Program lessons are digital—no login, no class time. 

• Soft skill challenges are delivered to interns via a weekly SMS/text message sent to your mobile phone. (Save 216-294-0444 in your contacts as “Careerlog”.)

• Supervisor support strategies are delivered via a weekly email message sent to your inbox. (Save info@careerlog.co in your contacts as "Careerlog".)

This allows participants to complete the program while working.

Do the lessons involve tests or quizzes? How do I successfully complete the program?
Interns receive no tests or quizzes. To receive a certificate of completion, interns must complete a weekly TRACK Record Log entry.

Are there program materials?
No. There are no program materials to download. A copy of the TRACK Record Log entries will be sent to interns and their supervisors.