Any successful career requires life-long professional and personal development. Culture, society, and technology are changing rapidly. It can become far too easy to fall behind, become overwhelmed or allow emotions to take over as we try to stay on top of things in our careers. That’s why self-management isn’t just important – it is crucial for any serious professional in any industry.
What is Self-Management?
Self-management is exactly what it sounds like – the ability to manage yourself through internal motivation and discipline without relying on others. Self-management takes time and patience. It develops over years with experience and can always be improved. The work it takes to develop this skill may actually never end.
Self-management is also the ability to better manage our thoughts, hold ourselves accountable and to regulate our emotions. Some psychologists refer to this as “self-regulation” and is viewed as a positive and healthy quality to possess.
Components of Self-Management
Self-development is the sum of many parts including the following:
- Time management
- Self-motivation
- Self-care
- Conflict management
- Resilience
- Stress management
- Adaptability
- Decision-making
- Problem-solving
- Goal alignment
- Prioritization
- Interpersonal skills
- Critical thinking
- Organization
All of these skills are important ingredients when working on becoming more self-managed. While each one appears to be different, they all share a great deal in common.
Why Self-Management is Important
Anything worth doing should be done right. This is so true when it comes to self-management. Working on each component sounds like a lot of work, and it is. Who would not want to be as self-sufficient and in control as possible? Being a self-managed professional can:
- Help to accomplish goals
- Reduce impulsive and off-the-cuff decisions
- Enrich personal and professional relationships
- Minimize stress
- Help to become more mindful
- Lead to greater self-care and a healthier lifestyle
Final Thoughts on The Art of Self-Management
Being a professional takes a great deal of ongoing work in a number of areas. Learning to lead and manage one’s self doesn’t come overnight. It takes years of experience, working with others, and building on skills one already possesses like time management and accountability. Developing self-management skills can have major payoffs and lead to a fulfilling career and life.