If you are at a relatively health company/group, they are just a chore (like setting 'goals', which noone really looks at until the next review is approaching).

If you are at a relatively health company/group, they are just a chore (like setting 'goals', which noone really looks at until the next review is approaching). As you say, you just go back to your desk and forget about it. I have had 'performance reviews' where the manager would just make up outrageous claims that were simply not true. So they can be a dreadful experience.