Crushing appraisal anxiety: Your guide to success and growth
The annual review process tends to be stressful for everyone, causing anxiety as we await performance evaluations and appraisal decisions following the annual accounting and planning. This experience is shared by virtually everyone, spanning HR personnel, management, and all employees alike. However, there's no need to worry. Here are some suggestions to help you relax and navigate through the challenges of the appraisal process.
What is appraisal anxiety?
Employees may suffer a variety of distressing emotions, primarily stress and despair, as a result of appraisal anxiety, which is the dread of getting bad feedback or not living up to expectations. Managers too can experience appraisal anxiety on how their feedback will be taken by their subordinates. This nervous behavior can significantly affect a worker's productivity and level of pleasure with their employment.
Develop a positive attitude
Having a positive attitude towards appraisal is a key step during the process. Don't let your anxiety control you. Positively accept criticism, but if you feel pressured, don't remain silent. Be communicative about your goals. Keep an open mind and do not take the feedback personally to your heart. Instead, think about it as a cue to start working on your skills better.s
Advance preparation
One way to counter the appraisal anxiety is by getting ready for the performance review beforehand. This includes analyzing your job description, making goals for the upcoming year, and compiling proof of your accomplishments and achievements, among other strategies. When in doubt, ask your supervisor or HR about the appraisal process in the company; and what needs to be done and prepared.
Better understanding of your work
No one better than you knows what you have done in the past year. Hence you will have an idea of what to expect. Make sure to have a good idea of your strengths and weaknesses. This will help give you a better understanding of yourself before the review. Be confident about what you did right. Focus on your achievements during the appraisal process.
Develop resilience and practice meditation
You can regulate your anxiety and become less reactive by regularly practicing meditation. Building a meditation practice can be a practical and approachable method to help manage anxiety, reduce stress, and uphold mental, bodily, and emotional well-being. Additionally, lifestyle practices such as getting sufficient sleep each night, avoiding junk food, and drinking in moderation all contribute to better stress and anxiety management.
