by Janet Kellogg

“Performance Review” – These are two words I’ve never been fond of seeing together. I instantly see myself, sitting across the desk from the dissatisfied “boss,” trying to justify why I should continue to take the lead on an important project even though things are falling short of expectations. The “boss” in this instant visual of mine changes faces often. Sometimes “The Boss” looks a lot like one of my precious but demanding kids. My husband has played this role. I, myself, do a great impression of “Dissatisfied Boss” … toward myself! Then there’s my parents who wouldn’t mind a return phone call, my actual supervisor at work, the friend who just needs some quality time with a loving sister.  Even my dog gets in on the action – sharply barking at me if I take too long to give him what he wants! You get my point.

Evaluating my own performance can go negative very quickly if it involves me estimating my own worth by how well I am pleasing others. It inevitably feels as though I am UNDER-performing – never quite hitting my own mark, let alone anyone else’s!

…But what if my standards for performance are set higher – on a more reliable measure?

Hmmm…

…Then, routine performance reviews I give myself wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, would it?

NOPE.

…Isn’t evaluating my performance in life a productive way of determining whether I’m doing the right things?…Meeting my goals?…Reaching my full potential?…Making the impact I was destined to make in this world?

I SAY YES!

If it sounds like I’m talking about self-image again, you are right! You and I are prompted to evaluateour own performance all of the time…and that inevitably results in a major effect (either positive or negative) on our self-image.

If you want the Real You in the driver’s seat of your life, it’s time to re-frame the word “performance” to mean how well you are functioning according to your inner design. Further, you must rescue the pursuit of healthy “self-image” from being a vain or self-absorbed activity. It’s essential because, as I covered in last week’s post, you cannot OUT-perform your self-image.

A Self-Directed Performance Review Can Be a Self-image Builder

As long as the measures you use are set according to the innate, design-driven strengths you possess, the Real You can enjoy a good, old-fashioned sit-down with any “Boss” because the whole context for feedback is based on opportunities to align with your unique, sophisticated inner design.

Rather than trying to perform to standards that are inappropriate or unrealistic – aiming for a target you don’t even want to hit – set your sights on the correct use of your strengths and hit the bullseye!

The Real You is a high-performance force in your own life, so be strategic in building your healthy self-image. The INNERSTRENGTH CHALLENGE is a great place to start!

Pursuing the Real You Takes Everything You’ve Already Got!

• Discover your unique inner design with the free InnerKinetics Adult Temperament Key.  Get your free InnerKinetics® Temperament Key now!

• Learn more with this free PDF chart of “Design Driven Strengths” for each temperament. Click here to get the chart!
• Join the INNERSTRENGTH CHALLENGE that begins in April.