Self-assessment is a valuable skill that can help you improve your performance, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and set realistic goals. However, self-assessment is not a one-time event, but a continuous process that requires regular updating. How do you update your self-assessment to keep it relevant, accurate, and useful? Here are some tips to help you.
The first step to update your self-assessment is to review your previous one. What did you evaluate yourself on? What feedback did you receive from others? What achievements did you accomplish? What challenges did you face? How did you address them? How did you measure your progress? By reviewing your previous self-assessment, you can see how far you have come, what areas you have improved on, and what areas you still need to work on.
Look over your previous results. I do this quarterly with annual goals and monthly with quarterly. Am I progressing? What does my ALSWOT say on the targeted goal? (Achievements, Lessons, Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) if the goal is linked to an annual one, will missing it guarantee I miss the annual goal? (Especially important for 3rd and 4th quarter reviews). What can I change or adapt to make it more likely I hit it? If I’ve smashed it what do I change it to? These are constantly reviewed each time. Some more significant things get reviewed annually (eg personality tests) and these can adjust my annual strategies moving forward. Not always though.
Biggest motivator is your source of revenue in business. In oder to maintain that source each person needs to set personal goals that they can reach. Understand your strengths and remove any thoughts that might put limitations on that outcome. Those that can succeed will succeed because it’s the only thing that separates them from the rest of the pack. Each of us determines our own outcome. Our measurement of success is based on our willingness to take risk. Keeping in mind that each level of risk comes with a cost. We all can’t be leaders but those of us that can be; should be. Our magic is not in our vocabulary its in our Actions. Doing what others might see as being impossible has always been my biggest motivator.
The next step to update your self-assessment is to reflect on your current situation. What are your current roles and responsibilities? What are your current expectations and standards? What are your current opportunities and threats? What are your current skills and competencies? What are your current values and motivations? By reflecting on your current situation, you can see how well you are performing, what gaps you have, and what changes you need to make.
The review mentioned above is critical to being able to review the goals. I mentioned above looking at the results of an ALSWOT and measuring progress on your goals. That fits here too. The analysis of how you’re progressing on the goals is key to hitting them, and also adjusting mid course. Looking at annual goals in December 22 and then not again until December 23 means you have no time to correct. But by March 23 if you’ve not hit what you’d hoped you’ve time to adjust. As a PT of mine once said “If you’re not assessing you’re just guessing” or if you prefer “what gets measured gets improved”. So measure and assess your progress to better tell what mid-course adjustments you need for your goals.
The third step to update your self-assessment is to set new goals and action plans. Based on your previous and current self-assessment, what do you want to achieve in the next period? What are the specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals that you want to pursue? What are the action steps that you need to take to reach those goals? What are the resources and support that you need to access? By setting new goals and action plans, you can create a clear direction, a realistic roadmap, and a motivating purpose for your self-assessment.
Use the SMART method Specific: Having focused, narrow goals can help you better understand what you want to achieve and the best way to achieve it. Measurable: Creating ways to monitor your progress can help you meet your goals in a reasonable time and make any adjustments. Achievable: Using smaller goals can help you work toward them more efficiently and have more metrics by which you can track your achievements. Relevant: Setting goals that are related to your needs can help you make ones that optimize your professional growth and strengthen your relevant skills. Time-bound: Implementing various milestones or deadlines for your goals can help keep you focused and motivate you to meet your goals.
The fourth step to update your self-assessment is to seek feedback and input from others. Who are the people who can provide you with constructive, honest, and timely feedback on your self-assessment? How can you solicit their opinions and suggestions? How can you incorporate their feedback and input into your self-assessment? By seeking feedback and input from others, you can gain different perspectives, validate your self-assessment, and identify areas for improvement.
The fifth step to update your self-assessment is to monitor and adjust your progress and performance. How will you track and measure your achievements and challenges? How will you celebrate your successes and learn from your failures? How will you adapt and modify your goals and action plans if needed? How will you communicate and report your results and feedback? By monitoring and adjusting your self-assessment, you can ensure that you are on track, that you are responsive to changes, and that you are accountable for your outcomes.
- Tracking and Measuring Achievements and Challenges: - Set clear, specific goals and key performance indicators (KPIs). - Regularly assess progress against these KPIs. - Celebrating Successes and Learning from Failures: - Acknowledge achievements through small rewards or recognition. - Analyze failures to identify root causes and lessons learned. - Adapting, Modifying Goals & Action Plans: - Reassess goals periodically to ensure alignment with objectives. - Adjust action plans based on changing circumstances or insights. - Communicating & Reporting Results & Feedback: - Provide regular updates to stakeholders through clear & concise reports. - Encourage two-way communication for constructive feedback & collaboration.
The final step to update your self-assessment is to update it regularly. How often will you update your self-assessment? What will trigger your updates? What will you document and record in your updates? How will you use your updates to inform your future self-assessment? By updating your self-assessment regularly, you can keep it fresh, relevant, and useful for your personal development.
How often the review takes place depends heavily on the size of the goal, and the type. For instance, the majority of people would find reviewing an annual goal daily as overkill. I typically advise my clients on a PD or business development journey with me to review “1 goal or target down” EG I set annual and quarterly goals. I set monthly and weekly targets. Monthly targets to annual goals, weekly for the quarterly. Annual goals get reviewed quarterly. Quarterly monthly. My monthlies get checked weekly. I check in on the weekly’s on Tuesday and Thursday before planning Friday. This helps keep me on track. They’re stand up no more than 15 min reviews for short term goals. Then a 1/2 day session for quarterly, and a day for annual.
Basis my experience I think DDO (Deliberately Developmental Organization) methods can help update my self assessment 1. Seeking feedback, 2. Embracing a growth mindset, 3. Focusing on development, 4. Using data, 5. Being deliberate and honest, and 6. Celebrating successes. These can lead to personal and professional growth, increased job satisfaction, and a more engaged and motivated work environment.