When Ratan Tata says, “Take the stones people throw at you and use them to build a monument”, he is emphasizing the importance of self-management. It is said that all management starts with self-management. How you apply your strengths and overcome your weaknesses makes all the difference.
If you want to explore your potential to the fullest, be creative and productive and be happy in life, you should master the techniques of self- management. Presenting 7 essential self-management skills that will transform your life in more ways than one!
- Time Management
Have you heard the saying “Either run the day or the day runs you”? All of us know the importance of time management. But only some of us execute it in a systematic way. Prioritizing, planning and perfecting are the three pillars of time management. Learn to use your time productively. Avoid procrastination. Set your goals and strive to achieve them in time.
- Communication
Effective communication is the foundation of success and an impactful self-management tool. Work on your communication and interpersonal skills to improve your work performance. The way you communicate with your superiors or juniors defines your position in your organization. It improves your self-image as well.
Some of the main features of effective communication are:
- Focus
- Empathy
- Emotional Intelligence
- Reliability
- Clarity
- Coherence
Positive Thinking
Role of positivity in self-management is unparalleled. Positive thinking keeps you and people around you optimistic and motivated. Excellence begins when you channelize your energy and actions to think positively.. Be result-oriented and understand that every problem has a solution. You just need the resolve to find it and devise a strategy for implementation.
Stress Management
In today’s fast-paced world overrun with challenges, stress is inevitable. Naturally, stress management has become the need of the hour. Stress is roadblock to rational thinking and adversely affects your physical and mental state. So, you must learn to slow down and focus on the present. Avoid impulsive reactions arising from stress. Most importantly, master some effective stress management techniques such as relaxation, open dialogue and exercising..
Problem-Solving
The ability to solve problems effectively is one of the most useful self-management skills. Basically, it involves identifying the problem, generating probable solutions, and creating and implementing an action plan . You can use various problem-solving techniques like brainstorming to explore new ideas and mind mapping to understand new viewpoints.
- Self-Awareness
Assessing yourself in an honest manner is a very rare skill. Master it and half the battle is won. Understand the reasons behind your actions, thoughts and feelings. Try to eliminate the ones that affect you negatively. Observe yourself objectively and ask for feedback from others. Achieving this skill is a tough task that takes time. So start today!
- Productivity
Motivational speaker Paul J. Meyer said,“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.” So focus on being productive, not just busy. Don’t let distractions sway you or obstacles stop you. Do what you love. Take breaks during work and resume completely charged. Choose constructive work over mindless, mechanical tasks.
Some productivity tips for you
- Set daily goals
- Know when you are most productive during the day
- Avoid disturbances
- Jot your ideas down
- Learn to say no
- Be physically fit
There are many other self-management skills that you can incorporate in your daily life. Some of these are emotional intelligence, self-confidence, resilience, patience, consistency and proactiveness. The more skills you develop, the better.
Your life is about the choices you make. Improve your self-management skills to choose wisely. These choices will add value to your life and career leading to a personal and professional success. The time to begin is NOW!