Performance management is a problem. More specifically, how most people approach their own performance management is riddled with pitfalls. This is evident with the torrent of self-help and self-management books that have gained popularity, the increased talk of inbox management and especially in the colossal failure of the once heralded term, “multi-tasking.” Everything points to a lack of ability to effectively manage ourselves.

So, why do so many people try so hard to manage themselves and still fall short? Most people want to perform. They want to accomplish great things, but never seem to catch up on everything they are given to do in the course of a day. How many times have you said to yourself, “it’s five o’clock and my to-do list is bigger than it was when I got here at eight?”

For most of us, it’s a matter of overhauling our personal performance management systems, and finding a way to avoid the following five traps that so often trip us up:

Failure to see the big picture

Your performance management system should have a reason behind it. If you’re reading this, chances are that your current system, if you have one, isn’t working to some degree, and this is the most common reason. Instead of just jumping into your mountain of tasks, stop first and ask yourself”why am I doing all of these things?”

There must be a reason why you work. The answer for you may be (more…)