It’s natural to feel some nerves before a performance review. After all, it’s a big moment for most of us – and it’s important to make sure you present your work in the best light possible. But if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of your review, there are ways to get over those nerves and make sure you come out on top.
First of all, it’s important to remember that this is not an exam. Performance reviews tend to be conversations rather than tests, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself to provide the ‘right’ answers or impress your manager with fancy words. Your goal should be to provide honest and accurate information about your work during the past few months and show how you plan to develop going forward.
One way to prepare for a performance review is to write down what you want to say ahead of time. This will help you stay focused and articulate your thoughts more clearly during the discussion itself. Think about any major achievements from the last few months – including things like successful projects, tasks or initiatives that have been completed – as well as areas where you can improve in future. Writing these down will help jog your memory when it comes time for the review and ensure that everything is covered during the conversation.
Another way to relax before a performance review is to practice some yoga, deep breathing exercises or mindfulness techniques, such as visualisation or meditation. These can help clear away those anxious thoughts and give you a sense of calm during what can otherwise be a stressful time. You could even listen to some calming music beforehand if it helps.
It might also be helpful to talk about your performance review with a colleague, or through any concerns with someone who has experience in this area (for example, a mentor or colleague). Hearing other people’s advice may give you another perspective on how best to handle certain situations or questions that arise during the conversation – plus they may have useful tips on how best present yourself during reviews which can make all the difference.
Finally, remember that performance reviews are an opportunity for growth – not just criticism! Try not take any feedback personally; instead use it as an opportunity for self-reflection and personal development going forward – something we should all strive for no matter our profession.
The above tips should help ease any pre-performance review nerves but if at any point throughout the process you start feeling overwhelmed then don’t hesitate reach out for support from colleagues/mentors/others who understand what you’re going through – after all we’re all human! And finally just try remind yourself that ultimately having an effective performance review is beneficial both professionally and personally so try focus on making this happen rather than worrying too much about potential pitfalls in advance.
