Sunday evening during my meeting with my Korean student, she asked me about writing her annual evaluation 年度评估 (Nián dù píng gū) and setting new goals for the year.
I remember I once wrote a short article on this. That was long ago when I was still working. I don't have the details of that piece, though I remember the tone and the mood while writing it. The tone is not positive for sure. I was too judgmental and critical.
I know employees don't usually associate fun time with annual evaluation. It might cause undue stress or anxiety at the thought of being evaluated or judged by the manager. Also, people never enjoy negative feedback or criticism. It can be a waste of time if it's not taken seriously by both sides.
Perhaps we can see it from the perspective of the management team, adopt a more positive tone and transform it into the time of appreciation and re-engagement with our own goals.
First, we can generate a list of our accomplishments due to the wise management of our current boss. Rubbing your boss the right way.
Second, use this as an opportunity to align between your personal and professional goals with company's mission, as a point of connection. It's exciting when recognizing how our aspirations can contribute to the overall objectives and success of the organization.
We will feel more motivated and engaged, more fulfilling and productive, when framing our personal activities and development in the context of shared goals and values with an entity larger than ourselves. In fact, it works this way in many of our activities, even in this writing.