Building a Brag Document

Remember that fantastic bug fix from six months ago?

The one that saved the company thousands?

No?

That's the problem.

Every developer has been there – it's performance review season, or you are updating a CV, and you're struggling to remember all the amazing work you've done over the past months/years. Projects blend, achievements become fuzzy, and those small but significant wins disappear from memory.

This is why I started keeping a brag document years ago, and it's transformed how I approach my career development.

What is a Brag Document and Why You Need One

A brag document is your career changelog – a living record of your professional journey. But unlike your git commits, this changelog tracks your evolution as a developer, team member, and tech professional. It's not about bragging in the traditional sense; it's about maintaining an accurate record of your contributions and growth.

Think of it as your career database. You won't need to rely on your memory when it's time for performance reviews, salary negotiations, or job interviews. Instead, you'll have a comprehensive record of your impact backed by real examples and metrics.

Keeping It Simple: Choose Your Tool

The most effective brag document is one you'll maintain. I use Apple Notes because it seamlessly syncs between my phone and computer. When I fix a critical bug or receive positive feedback in a meeting, I can quickly jot it down wherever I am. Here are some proven options:

• Apple Notes/Google Keep: Perfect for quick captures and seamless syncing
• Google Docs: Great for team leads who might want to share formats with their teams
• Notion: Excellent if you want to create a more structured knowledge base
• Plain Text in the cloud: Simple, reliable, and forever accessible

The key isn't which tool you use – it's choosing one that fits naturally into your workflow.

Building Your Document: The Foundation

The key to a useful brag document is structure. While you don't want to overcomplicate it, having clear categories helps ensure you capture your contributions' full scope. Here's how I organize mine:

Project Achievements

Start with the big stuff. For each significant project, capture the problem you solved and how you solved it. Don't just write "Built user authentication system" – instead, tell the story: "Architected and implemented a new authentication system that reduced login times by 40% and eliminated security vulnerabilities identified in our last audit."

Technical Impact

This section goes beyond just listing the technologies you've used. Document the technical decisions that made a difference. Did you optimize a database query that was causing performance issues? Maybe you introduced a new testing strategy that caught bugs earlier in development. These are the kinds of technical wins that demonstrate your growth as a developer.

Leadership and Collaboration

Some of our most significant contributions don't leave a trace in the codebase. Did you mentor a junior developer who is now leading their own projects? Have you improved team processes or documentation? These soft skills often set senior developers apart from mid-level ones, so don't neglect them.

Making It Work: Practical Tips

The biggest challenge with a brag document isn't creating it – it's maintaining it. Here's what works for me:

Set aside 15 minutes every Friday to update your document. It's long enough to capture the week's achievements but short enough to feel manageable. I keep a simple note-taking app on my phone for quick capture during the week, then flesh out the details during my Friday session.

When documenting achievements, focus on impact over activity. Instead of listing tasks completed, explain how your work made a difference. Did it save time? Improve user experience? Reduce errors? These outcomes are what matter in performance reviews and job interviews.

A Real Example

Here's how a simple entry might look:

Q1 2024 Achievements:

January:
- Optimized product search algorithm: Reduced average search time from 2s to 200ms
- Mentored junior dev through first API implementation
- Led migration to TypeScript for core authentication service
- Recognized in all-hands for quick response to production issue

February:
- Implemented caching layer: Cut server costs by 30%
- Created reusable component library, now used by 3 teams
- Improved CI pipeline: Build time down from 15 min to 4 min

The Long-Term Benefits

After maintaining my brag document for two years, I've found its value goes far beyond performance reviews. It's become a tool for personal reflection and career planning. Looking back through past achievements helps identify patterns in what I enjoy and where I excel. This insight has been invaluable in steering my career path.

It's also proven surprisingly useful for contributing to the developer community. Those technical wins and lessons learned? They make great material for blog posts, conference talks, or mentoring sessions.

Getting Started Today: Your First 15 Minutes

Open your favorite note-taking app right now.

Yes, right now – I'll wait.

Start with these three prompts:

1. What's the most challenging technical problem you solved this month?
2. When did someone last thank you for your help?
3. What process or code improvement are you most proud of?

There – you've just started your brag document...

The best time to start your brag document was when you began your career. The second best time is now. Open a new document, write down three achievements from the past month, and set a recurring calendar reminder for weekly updates. Keep it simple at first – you can continually refine your system as you go.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• The Novel Writer: Don't write paragraphs – keep entries concise
• The Minimalist: "Fixed bug" isn't enough – include impact
• The Procrastinator: Don't wait until review time to update

Remember, your brag document is a tool for professional growth, not an exercise in ego. By maintaining an accurate record of your achievements, you're not just preparing for your following performance review but creating a roadmap for your professional journey.

What tools do you use to track your professional growth? Share your approach in the comments below or contact me on any of the socials.