Understanding our performance

Do you remember the last time you had a performance appraisal? Were you happy about how it went? Did you believe that you did a better job than others? 

Do you remember another time when you had to give feedback to someone who worked with you? How did you know that the job was well done or wasn't? 

The way we measure our performance makes a big difference in how we deal with others. If we believe we are doing well, it shows in our confidence and motivation. 

In this context, feedback is critical because that helps us understand where we are good and where we need to get better. 

One of the most important things about getting feedback is its source. Whose feedback do we refer to most determines our attitude and success. 

Most people have two sources of feedback. One is our self-talk, and the other is external. 

When we focus on internal feedback or self-talk, a good practice is to use the Imagineering process coined by Walt Disney. In this process, we should take turns to assess feedback from the perspective of a dreamer, realist and critic. It determines our blind spots and keeps it practical. 

When we rely on external feedback, it is essential to know if it comes from people who have been with you on your journey. This kind of feedback helps you determine what others expect from you and if you can create a win-win situation. 

What can you do:

* Practice gratitude. Be thankful for the various people who are ready to give you feedback.

* Practice asking for feedback from others whenever possible. 

* Practice implementing the learnings each day and validate your assumptions frequently.

 Balancing both our self-talk and external feedback is how we get the results we want. It is one of the keys to success and motivation.