Conducting a Self-Evaluation, Determining What’s Next

SHOW NOTES:

On this show…we are checking in and taking inventory, with ourselves. Conducting a self-evaluation and determining, what’s next. It’s time for a little focus, brainstorming, and maybe even a deep dive for inspiration before we get to the task of creating our plan of action. Change happens whether we invite it or not but when you initiate some control and create the change you want to see, you move from the backseat to the driver’s seat. From this perspective, it’s nothing but an open highway ready for your to chart your course.  We are determined to bring focus to what might have been an aimless approach or fuel to what might have been a gasless incline. It’s all about making modifications not necessarily starting from scratch. You don’t have to wait for a new year to check in with yourself. You should develop a plan to make it a regular practice.

If you’re like me you might be thinking - Whoa, where did that year go? Time seems to be moving at lightning speed and if you don’t pump the breaks and insert some intentional pitstops, you’ll be further down the road than you ever imagined. A common goal-setting technique is to answer the question: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Let’s take a minute and think about that. Have you ever answered that question? Or I should ask, how many times have you answered that question? How often has the answer changed? 

I would bet that the first time you were asked that question vs now, many many things have changed.  Your focus, your personal or professional position, your wants, and your desires. That’s why it’s so important to make self-evaluation a regular practice. Nothing wastes more time or creates more dissatisfaction than spinning your wheels and shooting for a goal you no longer care about. 

My answers used to be all about work, success, financial reward. Those were the earlier days when you are trying to “get somewhere” and make something of yourself. Now my goals are more about awareness and mindfulness for what’s going on around me. How can I help, make a bigger impact, make a difference?

Maggie Wooll explains: How to write an achievable 5-year plan found at betterup.com

Megan Thompson helps us understand The Benefits of Self Evaluation and Assessment in her article for wethrive.net

KEY HIGHLIGHTS: 

1. One of the best things about a 5-year plan is that it can significantly motivate you to create the life you want to live.
2.  HARD goals are defined as: 

• Heartfelt 
• Animated 
• Required 
• Difficult 

1. Spend time thinking about what types of activities interest you, what type of environment you enjoy, what type of impact you want to make day-to-day
2. Plan for periodic review, reflection, and adjustment as part of life
3. You need someone who will agree to listen, spend some time walking through your ideas, and share constructive feedback
4. Self-evaluation is the ability to examine yourself to find out how much progress you have made.
5. The appraisal process becomes much more of a two-way discussion when it revolves around regular self-evaluation
6. Self-assessment and continual feedback contribute hugely to a culture of trust and engagement
7. While self-reflection in everyday life seeks insight into behavior and values for personal growth, self-evaluation at work is used to study performance in order to improve it.
8.  “We do not learn from experience … we learn from reflecting on experience.”

 

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CHALLENGE:  Before you set goals for the year or modify the ones you have in place - take the time for self-reflection and evaluation. What’s changed? Whether it’s your professional or personnel situation or just your wants and needs, be open to striking out in a new direction with a new approach. 

I Know YOU Can Do It!