In one of our previous posts, we discussed the power of observation. In this series of posts we will march towards a complete picture of what it takes to succeed in life, business, or a group. This process will help you gain leadership skills, create management opportunities and a level of comfort in achieving life skills. The power of assessment has to do with step two in this process. The complete cycle consist of observation, assessment, the test stage, implementation/execution and evaluation. This is a cycle that will hone in your skills and teach you what it takes to succeed with people in whatever capacity you are in. Let's begin the power of assessment.
The natural order of assessment comes after you have observed. Observing is a process, not an action as much. You are just using your eyes. Once you have your data from observing we need to delve into what we have gathered and start making some sense of it. Information gathered and put on a shelf will not do us any good. We must push on in this process through the natural order so we can attain the end result. How do we assess, what we have observed?
First, we must determine what it is we are trying to accomplish. For instance if we have been observing because you have weak people skills, then we will be observing behavior to understand movement, personalities, quirks, body language, etc. Once we have spent enough time observing we then take what we have seen and try to make sense of it. This can be done in one of two ways. The first is as you go along observing. The second way is to do it after the fact once all observation is complete. I should point out that if you are really serious and want real results I would carry around a small pad and pen with you during this time and take notes. Very few have great memory and retention, so notes are a great refresher. I do a combination of both. How you use the power of assessment is by asking questions to your self and analyzing your answer. Like, I wonder why she always eats lunch alone? Does she like people or is annoyed and that is why she eats alone? Is she shy? If you take anyone of these questions you can then observe and get an answer. Maybe you determine she eats alone because you think she is shy. Observe her several times and see how she interacts with the environment around her. Does she ever look up? Does anyone ever speak to her, etc. Good honest assessment is a work in progress until you get the final result. Observing an assessing will turn you into a sort of magician down the road as people after a while become very predictable to an observer.
A journal is a great tool for recording your activities during your training time. Write out your thoughts and see how they begin to develop over time. I will bet you will see a dramatic change in your perspective and your techniques of observing. This is not a quick fix over night routine. Perfecting these two skills takes a while. Some will be quicker than others but either way if you want to be a pro then settle in for the long haul.
The assessment stage is where you should be now taking action. This is an understanding stage. We are figuring out what is going on and how others are affected. Stay sharp and open up. Do not get so bottled up that you are making false assessment continually. Relax and act like you have been doing this your whole life. This is where you are an investigator and you get to investigate. Have fun with it and find some truth.
Did you know that most people do things everyday and do not know why they are even doing it? Then how is it you will be able to determine why they are doing it if they don't even know? The answer is simple, you are wide awake and you are being active in observation and assessment. The people you will be studying will not even take a minute out of their day to smell the roses or meditate or assess what they are doing. Most of your subjects are caught in a rut and the main reason is they are not doing what you and I are doing. Do not become your subjects as you do your training. It gets real easy to mimic life, so keep on guard.
I hope you have enjoyed this personal growth tip and I hope you tune in next time for the test stage. This is where we will try and answer some of our observation and assessment questions. Please leave me a comment please and tell me what you think or if you are trying out any of my tips!
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