My annual performance review

It's the end of the year, and I have lots of summaries, etc., that I have to do for work. The Kool-Aid that they drink around here has a lot to do with "scorecards" and "dashboards". It got me thinking that maybe I would like a more formal process for evaluating me, objectively. I do so enjoy self-analysis. So I found these eight parameters: -Authentic friendships -Community involvement -Harmonious family -Optimum health -Personal development -Professional advancement -Spiritual journey -Wealth & Prosperity and I evaluated my 2006 performance on them - what I did in those categories, and what I missed on. For friendships, in the plus column, I put that I made a few new friends at work (this was my first year in a new job and it's been overwhelming) - in the minus, that I did not make enough of an effort to maintain friendships with girlfriends who had children this year. Kind of a sore spot with me right now because I'm 32, unmarried, and getting antsy. So me and my best friends/new mommies are making plans to schedule 1 get-together a month in '07 - none of us can cook so we're going to do our own homemade cooking classes at eachother's houses. For community involvement, I participated in two environmental outreach events (through work) this year, was a speaker on corporate environmental sustainability for a county-run teen development program, and sang in my church's choir. I'll do the same next year. I'd like to be more consistent in my support of the choir. For family, I took my nephew for about a weekend a month this year, overall. I also sent a letter to my estranged father, *****portedly is seriously ill, offering to bring my sister (who doesn't drive) down to see him (essentially, to make sure she seems him before he passes away.) (He did not bother to respond but I'm still giving myself credit for the offer.) I spent a significant amount of time with my (still married but divorcing slowly) boyfriend, so for '07 it's "*** or get off the pot" time, as my family would say. For health, I went to therapy the whole year. The idea was to learn better ways to deal with things and thereby prevent switching addictions. My therapist recommended "Feeling Good" by David Burns, MD. and it was the best thing I've read in years. I highly recommend it. Physical fitness wise, I gave myself points for having the balls to try playing softball in a company 'fun' league (just a few games). I stink but it was fun. Unfortunately I abandoned my excercise routine that I had at the old job, which has a far nicer gym. So that's 2007. I got my eyes checked, my skin checked, saw a plastic surgeon for a consult (I need a circumferential lift, and brest augmentation). I did not keep up on my blood work so again, 2007. For personal development, I had the opportunity to attend a 2-day off-site training class on "Leadership Presence", which was awesome, very close to acting skills, and I also took Public Relations at the local community college in the fall semester. For 2007, my goal in this department is to (finally) finish my master's. I was also accepted in to a year-long county-sponsored (civic) leadership development program so I will be doing that this year. I would like to take singing lessons, but right now, money's too tight. For professional advancement, my '06 accomplishment was getting a new job (which was also a promotion) and learning the ropes. I'm going to continue that this year. For spiritual journey, in 2006 I was confirmed at Easter, so I'm Catholic now, and I attended church >80% of Sundays for the year. For '07, I want to continue my attendance, my participation in the choir, and also get meditating again. For wealth & prosperity - well, I made progress in paying down my debt. In fact if I stick to the plan I will be out of debt in September 2007, except for my car loan. That was an unplanned expense - I totalled my car this summer. Any comments? I know not everyone finds me as fascinating as I do ;) but I thought you might like the idea. I liked doing this because it's a more fair and balanced approach to evaluating myself, rather than focusing on one aspect at a time. You can see how, ok, friends slipped, but there was a lot going on the job front, so that I can be better aware for next year and more intentional in how I spend my time. Wishing everyone progress towards happiness, Jen

Jen! I think that is a really awesome way to evaluate your year! I am SUPER impressed wit hthe out of debt part! As far as the friendship with your firend that has children thati s so hard. my best friend doesn't have any children and it is very hard to stay close. I make it a requirement to call her every 2 weeks to just say hi even if it is a message on her machine at least she knows I still love her ya know! And when we do manage to get together its all good! I loved this quopte you made "I liked doing this because it's a more fair and balanced approach to evaluating myself, rather than focusing on one aspect at a time. You can see how, ok, friends slipped, but there was a lot going on the job front, so that I can be better aware for next year and more intentional in how I spend my time. " THAT last line more intentional in how I spend my time is key!!! I think most of the time we are just so busy we don't even think about intentionally spending time doing things that make us better people, enrich our communities and the wold as a whole! BRAVO!!!!! hmmm...not sure I would share how my year was it pretty much STUNK! LOL nic

Jen, Every year I do Spring housecleaning and mentally go through and rid myself of clutter and toxins that have appeared in my life. I mean toxic people, habits (I try), behaviors, literal clutter. I Love yourannual performance review and am goingto sit down this weekend and do it in earnest. What a great idea. Glad to see you posting. Connie

This is great, Jen. I started working on it; boy am I lacking...you're amazing. M.