The term "self-management" is frequently used in today's ever-changing environment. Everyone discusses concepts like personal growth and self-management in many of the seminars we attend at school and in our professional lives.
But what is self-management, exactly? Cohen (2008) states that intrinsic rewards are the main motivators of self-management. Passion, pride, and a decent work ethic fuel your desire not material (p.19). The first step towards personal growth is self-awareness. Change frequently precedes growth and change frequently precedes a life circumstance.
However, this is not the reality. Self-management is not in most people's nature, and few abilities can be mastered without formal training. ‘’Self-management—the ability to make your own decisions, to control your actions and achieve personal goals, and to be a positive influence in your environment—doesn't come naturally.
People need training in the skills that will make them competent for self-management ‘‘ (Weiss, 1999, p.1). Weiss (1999, p.7) also indicates that people only learn self-management abilities through situations that allow them to practice the skills required to gain control over their lives. So, how do we manage ourselves? What tactics and approaches can we use to reclaim control of our lives? Are those who govern themselves more successful? I will discuss the necessary tools and approaches for self-management in this report.
Success
factors for self-management
Setting your goals
To begin with, setting a goal entails being aware of one's values. Understanding your values gives us a new perspective on how to make objectives and live a happy life.
The most crucial stage in identifying one's goals is to define one's values. Our ideals are shaped by our culture and ethnicity.” We do not create a value set as much as we assemble one from the beliefs and virtues that have been instilled in us from early life” (Rao, 2015, p.27).
We can become conscious of the aspects that characterize us by reflecting on our past. Determining values, for example, will disclose a more meaningful and energic life. As a result, we will be equipped to have a happy and fulfilling life. ‘’Each person has a deep need for meaning and purpose in life.
One of the major reasons for personal stress and unhappiness is the feeling that what you are doing has no meaning and purpose as it applies to you and your innermost values and convictions. You must always start by asking the question “Why?” ‘‘(Tracy, 2014, p.11). As a result, our values will show a clear road to identifying our goals. “Living without clear goals is like driving in a thick fog. No matter how powerful or well-engineered your car, you drive slowly, hesitantly, making little progress on even the smoothest road” (Tracy, 2010, p.9).
Priority
setting methods
Setting priorities to achieve your goals is an important element to consider. Because for successful careers, there is a need for planning. Determining what is most essential and being able to prioritize them.
With the help of resources, you can accomplish more in less time. Organize an activity or resource so that the results satisfy the goals and expectations. Increase the quality of your job while lowering your stress levels. Some methods are well suited to set your priories. Prioritizing your goal is sometimes called activity management.
Rao (2015) indicates that there are four steps to this process; 1. List the tasks. 2. Arrange the items on the list in order of importance. 3. Filter the tasks on the list. 4. Select the most important activity (p.39). Prioritizing tasks can be done in a range of methods. Dr. Stephen Covey's book (1995 cited Rao 2015, p.44) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and First Things First rediscovered and popularized the Eisenhower Matrix.
Allowing yourself to be side-tracked by inconsequential but urgent work (see Fig.1) and neglecting the important but generally non-urgent tasks is a recipe for disaster.
According to this method, we should mostly invest in important and not urgent activities. The unimportant duties are located in Quadrants III and IV. Completing these tasks adds little value to your life. Quadrant I (Urgent and Important) assignments are frequently approached reactively.
The ABC approach, which assigns each work a letter A, B, or C, is another popular way of prioritizing chores. The letter A is assigned to the most critical tasks on your time management plan, the letter B to the less significant chores, and the letter C to the least important ones. Each item should be given an A, B, or C grade.
Then, as you begin your day, you do the items graded A, B, and C in order. Their major responsibility, no matter how useful it may appear, is to keep them in writing, where a to-do list can be made. “Because we are creatures of habit, it’s a good idea for you to fill out your “to-do” list at the same time every day. This way you’ll be committed to a routine and will avoid procrastination.
Whether you fill it out in the evening for the next day or first thing in the morning for the current day is unimportant” (Alessandra, 2005, p.30). Here is an example of Alan Lakein (1973, cited Randel 2010) a to-do list with a combination of ABC analysis.
Stress
is manageable for those who schedule
Stress management is a technique that teaches an individual how to control their stress levels by practicing self-care, and relaxation, and how to deal with stress when it arises. 'Stressors' are the many stressful events and situations that haunt the minds of many people.
Our perceptions, which are based on our characteristics, create stressors. “In the simplest of terms, there are two types of stress: positive and negative. Positive stress is often considered healthy stress.
Some examples include competition, butterflies, looking forward to something (vacation, financial bonus) … Examples of negative stress might be anxiety, worry, (such as finances or health), and so forth” (Barbee, 2012, p.8). Barbee also states that stress builds up over time and must be discharged to be relieved.
Depression, heart attacks, strokes, and other significant health problems might develop because of this. First and foremost, we must consider the events that cause us stress. Exams, work, personal strife, and family issues all play a role in our financial condition. What are our coping mechanisms when confronted with a stressful situation? Barbee classifies stress reactions into four categories. Physical, emotional, behavioral, and psychological reactions. The typical outcome of the stress of behavioral reaction can be watching Tv for hours.
Changing your approach to stress can be a simple decision that has a significant impact. Kausar (2010, cited Barbee, 2012, p.12) it is considered that coping methods have two basic functions: addressing the situation that causes stress and regulating emotions related to those stressors.
The stress factor is reduced by preparation and organization. Namely, making a to-do list is also an illustration of this. The biological time or prime time component should be considered. When you live according to your biological time, the stress factor is reduced.
Also, it is stated that stress factors can be reduced by setting your priorities. For instance, saying no and not wasting time waiting for others. If you want to focus on your ambitions, you'll have to stop talking about other people's plans and assignments.
Waiting for others, instead of realizing your goal will consume your time and create stress factors too. Of all these suggestions the most suitable one can be chosen. Barbee (2012, p.17) indicates that once you've found out what you're up against, see if you can estimate the emotional, psychological, and/or bodily impact it will have on you if you don't do something about it.