Bragging can feel uncomfortable, even terrifying, for many of us. But during a recent HealthConnect Fellowship convening, Fellow Aubrey Alvarez, Executive Director of Eat Greater Des Moines, challenged us give it a try by creating our own brag book.
“Really it’s a chance for you to remember how amazing you are and all the good work you’re doing,” said Alvarez. “And it’s about giving yourself space and time to do it.”
Alvarez shared these ideas she gathered from a brag workshop at The Jane Club, a digital community for women led by Carmen Rios, a feminist writer, podcaster, and speaker:
1. Decide how you want to capture everything. You could create a digital file on your computer to save positive emails and examples of success; dust off an empty journal on your bookshelf and fill it with lists and notes; or put up a peg board in your office to hold cards and images of your achievements.
2. Make the time to work on it. Take a moment at the end of each week to capture what you did or hold a monthly slot on your calendar. Most important, intentionally prioritize the time until it becomes a habit.
3. Start capturing! Think about all areas of life –personal and professional – you can capture, including:
4. Keep going. The goal is to work on your brag book for at least 15 minutes at a time but work up to it if needed. Give it a test run and you’ll notice how impactful it can be.
Still hesitant about the idea of bragging? Alvarez framed it this way: “It’s a book of gratitude to yourself.”
Eat Greater Des Moines (EGDM) is a central Iowa-based nonprofit organization that facilitates and builds connections to strengthen the area’s food system.
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