SELF EVALUATION, GROWTH, & LEADERSHIP.
“Let us test and examine our ways…” Lamentations 3:40
“Know Thyself” -Socrates.
Leadership is difficult. Self-leadership is no different. The truth is that you will be the most difficult person that you have to lead. To grow and progress in life, you must learn how to lead yourself well. How is that possible? How can you lead yourself toward health and progress?
Self-evaluation is the key. There is no growth without brutal honesty about yourself and a desire for change. You must know where you stand, acknowledge the area of opportunity, and make a change to find health in your mind, body, spirit, and relationships.
A few years back, I learned this system for self-evaluation that’s helped me track myself over the years. It’s called RPMS. The goal is to rate yourself from 1-10 in each category by being brutally honest about where you stand. When you track these numbers over time, you can see trends. It can be humbling at times, but it’s always helpful in gauging how you’re doing.
To start, read the categories below to get an idea of what they are and what you’re evaluating.
RELATIONAL: Your relational world includes the people with whom you regularly interact: immediate family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Think about the following:
- How are my relationships at home?
- What about my marriage, dating, or family life is going well? What’s not going so well? What would I like to change?
- Who do I consider my closest friend? How is God using that relationship to grow me?
- What are my relationships at work or school like?
- Do I have relationships that give me energy and life?
PHYSICAL: Physical well-being is often overlooked. Yet diet, exercise, sleep, and rest are all vital if you seek to be healthy and whole. Here are some good questions to think on:
- Am I getting enough rest?
- How is my current energy level?
- Am I maintaining good health when it comes to exercise and eating habits?
- Is there anything about my physical health that I’d like to change?
MENTAL: Another often-overlooked aspect is the development of the mind. Your mind is meant to be worked. It must be engaged and challenged to stay sharp. Here are some questions you can ask to see if you are developing mentally:
- Have I been learning lately?
- Am I applying what I am learning?
- Am I reading or accessing books, resources, or websites to grow?
- Am I engaging my mind in my work/ministry?
- What kinds of thoughts have been dominating my mind? Are they drawing me closer to God? Are they pulling me away from him?
SPIRITUAL: This is about your walk with Jesus and your spiritual life. Here are some questions you can ask to see how you are developing spiritually:
- How would I describe my relationship with Christ right now?
- Am I feeling connected to God?
- Am I engaging in spiritual disciplines to help me draw closer to Jesus? Prayer? Journaling? Worship? Solitude?
- Have I been prioritizing his Word? The Holy Spirit?
- Am I serving God out of gratitude and humility?
- Is my faith being engaged? Am I passionate about the things of God?
- Do I love the house of God, His church?
R.P.M.S. TEMPLATE
Based on your reading above, rate yourself in each category from 1 to 10. Ask yourself, how am I doing relationally, physically, mentally, and spiritually? Write some thoughts on each rating. You can do this as often as you’d like…daily, weekly, or monthly. Ask God for wisdom as you lead yourself.
Date: / /
Relational: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Physical: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Mental: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Spiritual: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Notes for Reflection: