How self-compassion impacts performance
Watch Craig and Richard discuss how self-compassion can improve study and work performance.
Experimenting with how self-compassion may impact our performance
If you’re curious about how self-compassion may impact your performance, you may like to try the following self-reflective exercise.
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Take a moment to think about an employer or teacher you’ve had in the past who was really critical of you. When we say critical, we mean saying things like ‘You’re no good’ or ‘You failed again’ and not simply the delivery of constructive feedback.
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Reflect for a moment on how that impacted your performance. What did it mean for the quality of your work or study?
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Now, take a moment to consider an employer or teacher from your past who was warm and supportive. You could sense that they really cared about you and, while they still helped you to grow by managing your performance there was a kind of gentleness about their approach.
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Reflect on how that employer or teacher impacted your performance. What did you notice about the quality of your work?
Change your approach
So imagine now that you are your own employer or teacher, and consider how by approaching yourself with compassion and kindness, you may actually perform more strongly.
It’s about your attitude towards yourself, not your workplace
As you share any comments or insights with other learners, please keep in mind that this self-reflective exercise is designed to help you consider how your attitude towards yourself impacts your performance (rather than sharing anecdotes about experiences in the workplace).
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