Since we are focused on the performance appraisal process, let’s look at some dreams when it comes to work. Specific dreams might include:

• Organize my cubicle, again, and for the last time.
• Bring my lunch to work four out of five days per week.
• Complete the manager’s series of workshops so I am ready for that promotion to director when Robin retires in four years.
• Attend the industry conference every year for the next ten years.

Now, clearly some of these are achievable in the short term while others will take longer. Some will obviously take more work than others, but they won’t change from their dream state unless we sit down and set some concrete goals about how to achieve what we want. Bigger goals need to be broken into smaller goals and then we can work on them each week.

Added to my dreams up above, my supervisor wants me to include the following goals in my performance appraisal this year:

• Complete courses 1, 2, and 3 of the manager’s series
• Meet with each of my 20 direct reports every month in an informal one-on-one meeting
• Increase the productivity of my team from 72% to 85% in the next 12 months