As we are nearing the end of the year, it is undoubtedly beneficial to have a self-appraisal done for a better understanding of ourselves and our life goals.
Self-appraisal, also known as self-assessment, is the process of evaluating one's own work performance over a certain period of time, typically at the end of a work year.
It's a great way for us to take ownership of our work and reflect on our own development and growth. It's also a great opportunity for us to provide feedback to our working colleagues, supervisors, or team members and identify areas where we may need additional support or training.
But why is self-appraisal so important? Well, for starters, it can help foster open communication and trust between us and the people we work with.
It allows both parties to have a candid conversation about the team’s performance and goals, which is essential for building a positive working relationship.
Self-appraisal can help us reflect on ourselves and help us hone our best skills whilst learning more about our weak points. We can further manage our expectations and set new goals for ourselves.
So, how can you conduct a self-appraisal?
Whether you are an employee of a small company, or a large company, or run your shop; a self-appraisal can begin as soon as you understand the importance of it and its impact on your growth.
Here are some pointers on this area:
Speak about your achievements 🎖️
> Highlight the achievements you have gathered and analyse the methods or steps you have taken to get there. Take note of the falls or mistakes along the way that serve as valuable lessons. Even if you had gotten it right, take some time to look at the various other ways you could have achieved them given different circumstances. This makes you become better at planning & strategising.
Objectively reflect upon your mistakes 🧐
> Be clear on the poor outcomes or incorrect ways you have taken in carrying out your tasks. Address the reasons underpinning those mistakes, particularly looking at how you did and what you could have done differently. This action if done repetitively, moulds you to be a continuous learner and propels your personal growth!
Set goals 🎯
> It’s crucial to set a goal for any task you do on a daily, weekly, monthly or annual basis. Setting goals helps you manage your time, attention and most importantly, your EXPECTATIONS. To ensure your goals are implementable, it is best to have them Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic and Time-sensitive (SMART). Aim for the stars and maybe, just maybe, you might become one! Focus on what matters to you while you align your goals with the company you work with.
Check out a sample self-appraisal you could do for yourself:
One of my major accomplishments this year was leading the successful launch of the new product line. I was responsible for coordinating the efforts of a cross-functional team, and I believe that my strong communication and project management skills contributed to the smooth execution of the launch. One area where I feel I could have done better is time management. I have struggled at times to balance my workload, and I have realized that I need to work on my ability to prioritize tasks and delegate when necessary.
Looking ahead to the next year, I am excited to continue growing and developing as an employee. I am particularly interested in expanding my skills in [area of focus] and would welcome any opportunities to do so.