Sandra's Self Evaluation ...

 

My husband came home from work one day this week and we briefly discussed the results of a review he'd done for one of his employees. Nothing confidential, of course, and to this employee's credit, most everything my husband had to say was quite positive.

It got me thinking, though, how much I DON'T MISS the formal quarterly job review process. The nerves leading up to it. The pre-evaluation work required. The "wonder if I'm cutting it?" worries. The hoping for a fair raise and the resulting reminder that as much as I'd like it to be otherwise, my performance was not always directly linked to my paycheck.

When I worked as an employee, my review results were always very positive. "Hard worker. Excellent work ethic. Resourceful, respectful, creative, team player," yada yada. All good skills.

Of course, it's different when you work for yourself. The feedback system is just ... different.

Now, Chip and I discuss our work all the time. We talk through the frustrations and challenges, and celebrate victories together. Work out plans for the future. Help each other figure out strategies for moving our authors move forward. This friendly partner relationship is much more fun than filling out accountability evaluations, trust me. And it's a blessing to know I can go to someone with the wealth of experience he brings to the job of agenting without worrying that I'm exposing my performance "weaknesses."  I've learned more this past 18 months than I thought possible.

And so, realizing that I've hit another milestone in my new(ish) career, I decided to do my own performance review. Chip and I talked about these things earlier this week (while he was in my home office unknowingly spreading the flu bug, thank you very much!) and then I thought since people are still asking me "hey, how's the agent thing going?" and because I'm way overdue for a blog post, I figured I'd share the results here.

Because I usually approach everything from a "what can be better" angle, I started with my "Needs Improvement" list:

1. I don't blog often enough (yeah, yeah, I know ...).

2. I'm still not the email Ninja I wish I was, but I'm working on it.

3. I have a tendency to keep trying new tracking systems - have yet to find the ONE perfect foolproof and simple system which works for me. I need to just pick one and make it work.

4. I tend to over-analyze, and over-think things. (Hence number 3).

5. I still carry a fair amount of "not good enough" around in my head all the time, specifically as it relates to my work. I still struggle with my perfectionistic tendencies - don't know whether I owe this to the left over father abandonment junk I still carry around with me, or maybe Staff Sergeant Goo (yes, that really was my drill instructor's name). Ahem. That's quite personal, isn't it? Oh well. See #4, I guess.

6. My personal disciplines (excercise, daily devotions, domestic routines) have taken a serious hit this past year.

And of course, to balance things out, I created a list of areas where I've seen improvement and where I feel I excel:

1. I'm progressing in working out the professional vs. personal life balancing act of working (mostly) at home.

2. I'm slower at submitting than I'd like to be, but getting better.

3. I'm good at evaluating and helping my authors create proposals. REALLY GOOD, actually.

4. I have good instincts.

5. I create excellent comp lists for work I'm planning to submit. It's time consuming, and takes me awhile to get to sometimes, but I find this one of the most enjoyable parts of my job.

6. I'm a good critiquer.

7. I've done a solid enough number of deals during a crappy economy to convince me I know what I'm doing and that I'm going to be good at this for the long haul.

8. I get along with people and generally, people tend to like me.

9. I get great feedback all the time from editors who say how comfortable it is doing deals together.

10. My authors consider me a friend.

11. I'm still taller than Chip. And, so far, I still look better in a skirt than he does.

I should probably come up with one more just to round this to an even dozen, but, I figure that's enough self-examination for one week.

But hey, one more thing ... it was such fun this week to place "my" first book on the shelf I recently cleared in my office for those I've agented - Tia McCollors' THE LAST WOMAN STANDING, from Moody's Lift Every Voice line. (And I laughed when I realized it took 18 months and that someone (certainly not me) could have birthed two babies in that time.)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Sandra

Comments

[chip responds]

Your first book that's actually printed and on bookstore shelves! Woo-hoo! You rock, Sandra. And while you look better in a skirt, I'm still not convinced you're taller.

[Gina Holmes]

I don't know Sandra, you're a hottie and all but Chip DOES look pretty daggone good in a skirt, er, kilt. Ha. Love your exposures of strengths and weaknesses. I doubt most people can fairly assess theirs, so I'm always impressed when someone can point out their own. You're doing great!

[Judith Robl]

The "slower at submitting but getting better" thing gave me hope that while I'm slow, I may be effective.

[Stephanie Shott]

O.K., you've inspired me to do a little self-evaluation of my own. Thanks for the cyberspace nudge.

And a great big "CONGRATULATIONS" to you for your first book hitting the shelves. I can't wait until my first book comes out mid-2010.

[Carla Stewart]

Ahem . . . I'll add the #12 to your list:

You truly care about your clients and making them shine.

And to be honest, I thought Chip was taller than you.

Congrats to Tia and to you.

[Jenny B. Jones]

I loved number 11. When THAT is your number eleven, you can't possibly have a number 12.

[Sharon A Lavy]

Congratulations on the book deal. Eighteen months is a long time. Hope your shelf fills quickly!

[Clella Camp]

Thanks for reminding me that a self-evaluation is necessary once in awhile in any "job". Yours appears to be an honest evaluation and I appreciate that you put it out there for us. blessings Clella

[Jim Rubart]

I don't think you're more than five inches taller than Chip.

[Robbie Iobst]

Congratulations Sandra. Amen to #8. I tend to like you a great deal. :0)

[Nick]

I see some woefully missing from your list, Sandra. Although I realize you were evaluating your job as an agent, you really should include something about making time for your OWN writing. You are very good. You really need to set aside a bit of time every week to work on your own craft.

[Julie Garmon]

Go Sandra! Congrats and love the honesty in this post.

[Sandra Bishop]

Thanks, Nick, for your encouragement to write. I'm impressed that you remember something I must have shown you at least three years ago! Nice to know I made an impression.

I think my energies are where they are supposed to be for now. If things loosen up for women's fiction, who knows. For now, though, I feel like I'd be competing with my authors.

You are an encourager to many, Nick. Thanks again.

[Sandra Bishop]

Thanks for the congratulations on "my" first book.

It was Tia who did all the real hard work! I am glad to know, though, that she's busy on her next one already!

[Wendy]

Congratulations to you and to Tia! I love posts like this one. I can relate to #4 and well, #4.

Thanks for putting this out there.
~ Wendy