Many of us have been or will be asked to write a self-evaluation as part of this year’s performance review process. Organizations do this to involve employees in their own evaluation in the spirit of empowerment and buy in, an exercise that may very well be effective depending on its implementation. For many, this has been a part of the process so it remains a part of the process, whether they perceive actual value or not.
Regardless of the effectiveness of using self-evaluation during the review process, implementing self-evaluation and self-reflection in our everyday lives is essential to our own growth, both professionally and personally. What is the difference between the two? Self-reflection seeks insight about yourself and your behavior, values, knowledge and growth. Self-evaluation, on the other hand, is used to study your performance in order to improve it. Both are related and necessary to your growth both at work and outside of it.
As this year comes to a close, it is a natural time to look back and evaluate all that has happened. Whether or not you will formally do so on a performance review self-evaluation, it is helpful to ask yourself some questions to gain a deeper understanding of lessons learned and ways to keep moving forward in the year to come. As a starting point, ask yourself:
- What did I do that I am proud of?
- Knowing what I know now, If I could do it over again, what would I do differently?
- What helped bring me closer to my goal? What took me further away?
- Based on the results of this year, what do I want to continue doing in the New Year? Stop doing? Start doing?
- What resources and support did I use? In what ways were they helpful? Not helpful?
- What other resources and support could I use going forward to help me reach my goal?
- Who did I receive useful feedback from? Who can I seek feedback from to better understand what I am doing well and what I can do better?
- Am I still committed to this goal?
- Is there anything in my plan that should be adjusted?
- Am I continuing to honor my values?
HOW FREQUENTLY SHOULD I SELF-REFLECT
Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly reflecting on everything that is going on around us. When it comes to intentionally setting aside time to reflect, a daily practice is best for consistency, meaning and value. After a while, it will become as regular a part of your life as brushing your teeth (and just as important!) Intentionally reflecting only when you feel like it, when you think you have time, or every other Thursday will make it too easy to forget or put it off for another day. Commit to a daily practice and keep your commitment as you would any other. When you start to see value and reap the benefits, you will anticipate and embrace the time.
HOW LONG SHOULD I SELF-REFLECT
It depends on what is happening, but setting aside 10-15 minutes a day is a good start, with the understanding that some days it will be valuable to spend more time. In some cases, much more. This is not intended to be a punishment to endure. It is designed to be a process that develops and grows you. Embrace it. It may feel a bit painful in the beginning when you are tired, or wanting to avoid the answers that will come, but once you experience the benefits, it will become a natural part of your day. Stick with it until you get there, and if you start to slip, get yourself back on track. If it is helpful to implement an accountability measure (checking in with someone else, giving yourself a reward, etc.) by all means do so. Whatever will get you to where you want to be.
[box] “Much of the time, we’re transfixed by all of the ways we can reflect ourselves into the world. And we can barely find the time to reflect deeply back in on our own selves.” Ariel Garten [/box]
SHOULD I WRITE MY REFLECTIONS DOWN
If you are new to the practice, I would suggest experimenting with as many different methods as possible. You never know which one will be most beneficial to you, and you never know when this might change based on time, need and situation. Try journaling your reflections for a week or so and see how that practice serves you. Another week, try to reflect only by thinking. Another week, try using a creative outlet. Experiment, feel it out, push through the awkward, silly and uncomfortable as you discover what works best for you. If you find that you are beginning to go through the motions, switch it up and experiment with something else. There will certainly be days where insights feel more powerful than others. Trust the process and let each practice yield what it will.
IS SELF-REFLECTION EFFECTIVE
Yes (though it’s always important to ask, effective at what?) Harvard and others have done extensive research on self-reflection as it relates to productivity and have found great benefit in the practice. In one particular study,employees who spent 15 minutes at the end of the day reflecting about lessons learned performed 23% better after 10 days than those who did not reflect. The practice was also shown to be effective in a study on self-reflection and competence in nursing. In addition to increases in productivity, self-reflection and self-evaluation have been found to produce increases in leadership skills as well as learning across fields and subjects.
HOW DO I BEGIN
Make a commitment to implementing self-reflection as a regular part of your life. Start today, right now if you can. Take 10 minutes to think about a particular goal you have and ask yourself some questions (use those above as a starting point) to get you started. Write down some thoughts. Draw a picture. Experiment and play around with it. Decide when you will implement the practice each day, preferably at the same time for consistency. Put it in your calendar as you would any other important event in your life and honor your commitment. Because what is more important than your own growth and development?
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12 Responses
Great questions for us all to ask ourselves! Thanks Katherine.
Wow – wish I had done this self review throughout my career. Who knows what might have been?!? Thank you Katherine for the invaluable insight.
It’s so easy to go about our days on cruise control and all of a sudden we wonder where all of the time went. You are definitely not alone here!
Interesting stuff to read. Keep it up!
Thank you! Anything you would add?