Excel is a Tool for Everyone

Expanded from Everyfay Excel in our 2024 subscriber welcome series (email 3)

Does the sight of a blank spreadsheet make you want to close your laptop? If so, you're not alone. Even with all the new tools on the market, many professionals, especially those who don't work in finance or with budgets, are intimidated by Excel. Technology shouldn't be a barrier to getting things done. Instead, it can be the power that helps you meet your goals. Excel is a powerful tool that can help everyone, including you, move forward with efficiency, clarity, and intentional growth.

Bridging the Gap Between Data and Doing

"Big Data" is no longer just for data scientists. It's for project managers, educators, and even grassroots community leaders who don't engage with Big Tech. Adding basic data management skills to your toolbelt, regardless of the spreadsheet tool you choose to use, provides you with an edge in today's job market.

Which spreadsheet tool do you use?

• Microsoft Excel
• Google Sheets
• Apple Numbers
• LibreOffice Calc

See All Options

When you move past the initial fear of diving into a spreadsheet, you will find that Excel or any spreadsheet tool can be leveraged to save you time. By learning a few foundational skills, you can automate repetitive tasks and reduce friction in your daily routine that may be putting you on the road to burnout.

Excel in Action: It's Not Just for Budgets

To see how Excel can work in the real world, consider this example of how you might use a spreadsheet to manage your career trajectory.

The Professional Development Tracker

Imagine you are tracking your annual certification hours and networking goals. Instead of sorting through a messy pile of notes and emails scattered across various accounts, you can create a simple Excel table allows you to see exactly how many hours you've completed and how many remain.

Add a cell at the top of the spreadsheet with the goal that you are trying to achieve and then, add an Excel table with these columns and a total row to track your progress:

1. Column A - Date

2. Column B - List the activity, event, or class.

3. Column C - List the number of hours / credits gained.

4. Column D - List any items you might want to note.

You can add additional columns for categories or status to help you track any additional information. You can then use charts and PivotTables to visualize gain more insight into your data. You can filter and sort your list to adjust your view. This will help you identify goals that are lagging, plan ahead, and start moving with intention instead of only reacting to upcoming deadlines.

Resources to Help You Start

We want to help you move from intimidation to implementation. Whether you are looking to boost your productivity or simply want to feel more confident at your next meeting, we have resources to guide you.

• Download our sample Professional Development Tracker.

  
  

• Explore our Everyday Excel Series on Eventbrite.

  
  

• Check out our Course Catalog to view courses on data analysis and visualization skills designed for everyday use.

Ready to Grow with Intention?

Is there a particular feature in Excel that has always felt out of reach? We'd love to help you demystify it. Schedule a Discovery Call today to discuss how we can help you streamline your workflow and lead with greater confidence.