GIG Design

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Self-Assessment

In the pursuit of change and habit-making, one factor stands out as a cornerstone: competence. Having a solid understanding of what you're doing and the methods involved not only drives progress but also fosters intrinsic motivation. There’s a sense of ownership that's truly autonomous. This self-assuredness creates a foundation of which sustainable practices can thrive. It lays the groundwork for self-determination.

One effective strategy for maintaining this focus and drive is through regular self-assessment. By observing your efforts and progress, you gain the invaluable ability to course-correct as needed. This approach shifts the focus from a result-centric mindset to one that values the effort and the process of continuous improvement.

Following are the components of this self-assessment strategy:

Priorities: To initiate change, it's essential to reflect on what truly matters to you. What are your core values and aspirations? Aligning your efforts with your priorities gives them purpose and direction.

Honesty: Honesty with oneself is the bedrock of effective self-assessment. Are your goals realistic? Are you genuinely committing the effort required? Facing these questions with integrity sets the stage for meaningful progress.

Outcomes: Measuring results against intended outcomes helps you gauge your progress. This isn't about just achieving goals; it's about understanding the journey and what the results reveal about your efforts.

Awareness: Regularly checking in on your progress breeds a heightened sense of self-awareness. How are you faring in your pursuits? This awareness enables timely adjustments and prevents drifting off course.

Measurement: Determining how you'll measure success is vital. Whether it's quantifiable metrics or qualitative milestones, having a measurement system in place offers clarity and motivation.

By engaging in self-assessment, you reveal the variables that make your goals attainable. Additionally, you identify potential limitations or obstacles that might hinder your progress. This proactive approach empowers you to shape a path, rather than passively wait to see what happens.

Embracing self-assessment reaps numerous benefits. It not only provides you with real-time insights into your efforts but also rewards you with experiences that align with your aspirations. Instead of fixating solely on the endpoint, you immerse yourself in the present, in the act of progress itself.

Competence in your endeavors, combined with a commitment to self-assessment, forms a powerful duo in the realm of change and habit-making. This approach encourages a growth mindset, propelling you forward through conscious effort and continuous improvement. As you navigate and arm yourself with self-awareness and a clear sense of direction, you'll find that the path to success becomes not just attainable, but deeply fulfilling.

Questions for exploring.

What’s important to you?

Does what matters to you match your values and core beliefs?

How will you know if your moving closer to your goal?

REFERENCES

Andrade Heidi L. A Critical Review of Research on Student Self-Assessment. Frontiers in Education. VOLUME 4. 2019. https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/feduc.2019.00087. DOI=10.3389/feduc.2019.00087. ISSN=2504-284X