Self-leadership means self-management
Our motto in high school was “a lot to do and a little to do.” I think as educators they realized that the job of educating a child is something that is never really done. We also find ourselves with so much to do and so little done on a daily basis. With the demands of life in general and the need to achieve bold goals, self-management becomes very important. Effectiveness cannot be achieved without tactfully deploying one’s efforts, resources, and time on the things that really matter. You could be a student, parent, entrepreneur or company executive, there is an overwhelming demand for your time, especially these days. Most people are burned out because they take care of everything but themselves. You should not despair because the solution is not far away.
Self-management is defined as self-management, which means taking responsibility for your own behavior and well-being. It is not easy to achieve because it takes a lot of self-discipline to achieve it. Self-management starts with finding a way to get organized. Those who are not organized will look back and see their lives read with unfinished tasks and projects. When you manage yourself well, you will do well. Self-management is not about being busy. That will just produce a canvas without the desired results. When you self-manage, you’re not just moving from one task to another, you’re creating a system that works and brings out the best in you. What works for one person may not work for another. I like to use “to do” lists. I don’t start the day without a list of what I need to accomplish. If I haven’t written it, it almost always doesn’t get done. Writing things down allows me to visualize, prioritize, and execute my activities in order of importance. Find out what works for you and do it.
You are hurt if you go to work and come home from work. That distinction is positive because you can concentrate. However, with more people turning to home-based entrepreneurial businesses, there is a greater demand for self-management. Imagine a young mother who has a young child and a child who goes to school running a business from home. She has the enormous challenge of balancing the different tasks because she has to attend to the business and the housework at the same time. You may not be a “work from home mom”, but at some point you will need to juggle multiple tasks with limited time available. What works for me is that I’m not trying to manage time, I’m trying to manage priorities. Sometimes it is necessary to take advantage to do more things. Instead of doing a menial task and spending all day, you could hire someone else to do it and spend your time on a “higher return activity.” I was doing one of my first sales jobs as a telesales executive. The manager needed to send direct mail to customers and, as the youngest member of staff, I was tasked with folding the letters and sealing the envelopes. I had been at it for almost an hour when the Managing Director came into our office and asked what he was doing. The sales manager explained that the mail should be sent to customers. The CEO was not happy and suggested that my boss, the sales manager, hire casual labor to do it, since selling was a higher priority for me than sealing envelopes.
Self-management includes taking responsibility for one’s own well-being. Sleep deprivation leads to some forms of illness. You are not a machine. The main cause of stress, depression and other related illnesses is sleep deprivation and general lack of rest. Scheduled rest and replenishment are just as important as those high-priority activities. I was studying for my Bachelor of Marketing and had a full time job at the same time and it was a few weeks before we wrote the exams. My boss had denied me a study leave because we were too busy at work. Therefore, I had to find a way to study since I was writing my last four subjects that I needed to pass. I started studying all night leaning on “stay-wake” tablets. I passed and graduated with a distinction in one of the subjects, but at what cost? Afterward, I struggled with sleep, ended up stressed and distraught. Finally, I visited doctors and was diagnosed with neuralgia, which meant pain in the course of my nerves. I was told that if I had delayed I would have had a stroke. I have since healed, but I think I could have practiced better self-control. Just because you can keep going doesn’t mean you don’t need to rest. Take care of your body and it will take care of you. You are your greatest asset. Take the time to recover and recharge your energy.
Rest should be factored into any plan you come up with because without it you cannot execute it effectively. Take the occasional vacation to relax. Leave your cell phone and laptop behind and go on a “retreat.” I remember that all school vacations were camping, a time when we would go hundreds of kilometers outside the city, staying in rustic accommodations, sometimes in tents. We would enjoy a few days away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I need to go back to that proven tradition of getting away from it all. Some fitness enthusiasts prefer to go to the gym, ride a bike, jog, or take a dance class. Others prefer live music, going to the movies or just taking a walk around the neighborhood in the cool of the day. I love listening to music and making music in my free time. Whatever works for you, be sure to factor it into your schedule.
Self-management also involves creating checks and balances and accountability mechanisms. When you have a mentor to report to at regular intervals, you will get things done. They will make sure you do the things you said you would do, including the unpleasant task that needs to be done. Agree on deadlines with him or her so you can mark her progress. In conclusion, I hope I have shared some things that will allow you to manage yourself and be more productive, happy and healthy.