Time to Shine: Mastering Your Performance Review
As the annual performance review approaches, many of us feel a mix of emotions – dread, anxiety, and maybe even a hint of excitement. It’s natural to put it off until the last minute, but this year, let’s take a different approach.
Why Performance Reviews Matter
Performance reviews can be time-consuming, requiring us to revisit emails, calendar events, and success metrics across platforms and departments. But they’re also an opportunity to reflect on our activities, classify them as successes or opportunities, and demonstrate our value to the business. By doing so, we can refine our career goals, professional development, and even negotiate salary increases or promotions.
Breaking Down the Barriers
Society has conditioned women to be hesitant in discussing their accomplishments, making it harder to receive the recognition they deserve. It’s time to break free from this mindset and take ownership of our achievements.
Preparing for Success
To make the most of your performance review, follow these simple steps:
1. Collect Your Trophies
Maintain a “trophies” folder, where you store accomplishments, compliments, and project results. This will help you remember your achievements and save time when filling out the review.
2. Seek Feedback Often
Gather feedback from peers and managers to foster accountability and measure growth. Share your goals and examples of your work, and ask for opportunities to practice.
3. Quantify Your Value
Use numbers to demonstrate your impact on the business. If data is scarce, rely on customer testimonials, peer commentary, and manager suggestions to estimate your value.
4. Decode Your Feedback
When you receive your performance review, take the time to read it thoroughly and ask for clarification if needed. Develop areas of growth into S.M.A.R.T goals and create an action plan to showcase maturity and growth potential.
5. Keep the Conversation Going
Professional growth shouldn’t stop after the review season. Revisit your feedback and goals regularly, and keep your peers and manager informed of your progress.
A New Mindset
It’s time to shift our perspective on performance reviews. Instead of viewing them as a chore, see them as an opportunity to celebrate your achievements and invest in your personal and professional growth. Take control of your career trajectory and earning potential – you got this!
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