written by Kaitlyn Ramirez, Senior Manager, Accenture
Consider a tendency common to nearly all of us: we tend to be generous, perceptive and fair when evaluating other people's progress, yet critical and dismissive when evaluating our own. We readily assure a friend that they have come a long way this year, while telling ourselves that we should have accomplished more. The evidence is identical, yet the conclusions could not be more different.
This reveals that the supportive mentor you need already exists within you. Perhaps you have been directing that generosity toward others rather than yourself and now is the time switch it up: evaluate your own progress with the same encouragement you would offer someone whose potential you believe in.
Before you assess your year so far, ask one question: “If someone I mentored had done exactly what I did this year, what would I tell them?” Write that down. Read it back about yourself.
Now use what you wrote down or noted: skim the three tactics below, pick the one that sounds easiest or most appealing, and start there. Use any AI assistant (e.g., Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Claude) and use the starter prompts listed below.
1. Brain-dump, then let AI find the wins.
Type out your year as a messy, unfiltered list, including any half-finished projects. Ask the AI to pull out every genuine win you glossed over. We undercount constantly; this hands you back the evidence. Even fragments such as "fixed the thing in March" are enough for the AI to work with. Then paste it in with this prompt: “Here’s an unedited list of my year. Pull out every real accomplishment, including small or unfinished ones, and group them into a few themes.”
2. Run the flip.
Paste the harshest sentence you've thought about your own year. Ask: "Rewrite this the way I'd say it to someone I'm mentoring." Seeing your inner critic translated into your coach's voice is startling and it sticks. Save the rewritten version somewhere you'll see it again, so the kinder phrasing becomes the one you reach for next time. To make it specific, try: “Here’s something harsh I told myself: ‘[paste it].’ Rewrite it the way a mentor who believes in me would say it — kind but still honest.”
3. Make a highlight reel.
Have the AI turn your wins into a short, celebratory recap in a "achievements unlocked" style, or a two-minute pep talk you can read aloud. Tell the AI the format you'll actually use, e.g., a phone note, a printout for your desk, or text you can record as a voice memo. Pick your favorite format so the recap fits naturally into your day. A prompt to try: “Turn these wins into an upbeat, two-minute pep talk I can read aloud, ‘achievements unlocked’ style, warm, specific and a little fun.”
You Don’t Have to Grow Alone
You've started recognizing your own growth – now imagine having someone in your corner to help you see even more. Step Up's free Mentoring App connects young adults ages 18–29 with experienced mentors who can help you navigate your career, build confidence, and achieve your goals. Find your match today and take the next step in your journey. Learn more and join today.
