I was chatting recently on a blog about online communication, and jokingly mentioned Progress Reviews. Can one joke about such things? Along with the fact that I have only just realised that the WP ‘Daily Prompt’ has been defunct for almost a year! Finger on the pulse as per!! This got me thinking. ‘Oh not again’. Yes, I’m afraid it has. So with added thanks to my recent B12 injection, I made a start.

What do I know about the thing that is the Annual Progress Review (APR for short)…shudder!

In a previous life, I experienced many APRs. I even oversaw one or two myself. At one time they were purely verbal and took about 15 minutes. Involving a conversation with the designated person, who knew how you operated and who was happy to invite you to greater responsibility on the spot.

Probably post 1990, APRs (well from my experience) involved hours of form-filling and presumably several boxes to be ticked. Or perhaps this was the result of moving from working in the Private sector to the Public sector. Who knows. 

Moving on.

In one organisation I was working for, there was a big push in providing evidence in one’s APR. Especially following a reorganised organisational reorganisation. Oh how lovely it was, being faced with a massive blank space to  confirm we were operating according to reorganised organisational reorganisational guidelines.

I found it quite strange as a ’30 something’ working mum, with plenty of work and life experience. Going from decision-making to ‘am I permitted to make a decision’. I hope I maintained some grace, but cannot deny it did rattle me at times. 

Back to the APR. My manager would look at the paperwork (poor woman, it all took hours). Very likely inwardly groaning, would just say, ‘well yes I think we’ve covered that’. She was a lovely woman. Incredibly human. 

I recall hearing of an individual, who when asked to provide evidence of following Health & Safety regulations on their APR, pointedly attached a piece of broken glass (to said APR) from a fire alarm case they’d had cause to smash to activate said alarm. Brilliant! ‘This is my kind of person’ I thought. We (fellow employees) lived on that piece of progress review theatre for some time. Could we better that? Yes, my sillyness accompanied me through my working life!

Thinking about it, there was a seemingly endless list of  items one could have attached. An ergonomic chair, filing cabinet, keyboard, bin, or perhaps a ‘rampant mackerel ash tray with detachable dorsel fin for the storage of cocktail sticks‘ ~ © BBC ‘Not the Nine O’clock News’. (Showing my age again!) I don’t know if anyone eventually did. I hope so.

Around that time, I was advised that I was no longer permitted to sign off my messages to staff on the staff Nobo (dry erase) board with a heart symbol. The slippery slope. My dreams crushed…💔

Not much later my health failed and I never did find out how many boxes were ticked on my APR. And if anyone found an alternative message close symbol. Now known as emoji!👍

Sooo, moving swiftly along from the gloomy corridors of box ticking, emoji droughts and readjusted readjustments. Just for japes (a laugh, laughter, to be jokey etc), I thought it would be fun to compile a Spoonie Progress Review. An SPR.

Self-audit here goes.

• Current Title – Duvet executive (aka sleeping partner).
• Age – It does tend to.
• Location – frequently horizontal.
• Description – I’m not good with detail.
• Pay grade – 2 blankies & a cushion. And an extra blankie for the doggo.
• Communication – on a reasonable day.
• Health & Safety – health has safely gone out of the window.
• Risk Assessment – please see above.
• Time Management – what is this thing called time? I need another rest.
• Keywords – I’m not sure where I put them.
• Team work – thank you. My husband does a great job.
• Location – please see ‘Current title’.
• Goal setting – can no longer play sports. Unless of course tormenting a Tekken player a decade or more ago by making your wrestling character dance, counts.
• Problem solving – what! Not another one.
• Summary – did I mention I’m not good with numbers. [Sorry, awful I know.]

The End

In a previous post I mentioned that I am inclined toward humour. And as I like laughing, I have very loosely continued the theme. Thank you again for joining me. It’s now time for a herbal tea!

Oh and for this post the photos included are provided courtesy of Pexels.com, just to see how it works. What do you think?

I am compiling slightly more serious posts, along with a review of books. I know, exciting. I read a book. Woohoo. And that is definitely not intended as sarcasm. More an MEcfs in joke. Apologies for erring on cliquishness. Is there such a word? Anyhow, they will take quite a bit more time to compile.

So once again…

Thank you so much for popping by and have a blessed day.🌸

Penny @hopefoundinme  😊

And to close. A chosen tune👇 A favoured go to.

Beverley Knight ~ Under the Same Sun