Lecture 2

The Self-Management Process

Introduction:

    In the first lecture we learned that there are skills and strategies that we can follow to control our reactions to what is happening in life. We learned that self-management involves a process that includes self-motivation and self-discipline. In this lecture we will look over the whole self-management process.

    To begin with, we can note that there are four steps, or phases, in the self-management process. These are:

1. Self-Observation
2. Goal Setting
3. Strategy Planning
4. Implementation and Monitoring.

Let’s examine each of the steps in turn.

Self-Observation:

    This phase takes place when we judge our ability to deal with a certain problem or challenge. We start by making some observations about ourselves. This involves thinking about our previous experiences with similar problems or challenges. How did we react in those situations? What could have we done better? Were our decisions beneficial to us and to those around us?

    We then make an appropriate and realistic evaluation on our ability to handle the situation. We may decide to try our best knowing that we have encountered a similar situation. Perhaps we may decide to admit that we cannot solve the problem without assistance. In any case, we base our decisions on what we have learned from our previous experiences.

    For example, we can learn that professional athletes and musicians all self-manage by following this step, too. Athletes often review videotapes following an important competition to note how they performed. They self-observe by looking for minor errors that they made, and then evaluate or decide how those errors influenced their performance. Musicians will spend time listening to their own recordings or review a concert tape in order to improve their performance. In this way, they evaluate their decisions for future concerts on what they have observed about themselves.

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Goal Setting:

    Having made some important observations and evaluations, goal setting takes place next. We now set specific targets or objectives that are based on our observations and evaluations. These objectives represent what we want to accomplish in a certain situation.

    For example, after having reviewed a recent mathematics test and noting the types of errors that she made, a student may set a goal of improving her mark. Similarly, a salesclerk may set the goal of becoming more courteous and helpful in the store after reviewing his previous sales record and considering other people ’s comments.

    Goal setting is a very important step in self-management and we will study this in greater depth in the next lecture. Nevertheless, it is important to know that when we really believe in our goals, they can serve as a source of self-motivation.

Strategy Planning:

    Once our goals are determined, we can develop a plan to achieve them. This plan is a detailed strategy that we will follow in order to accomplish our objective and overcome the problem or challenge that we are facing.

    For example, if a student wishes to improve her standing in mathematics, she should plan what specific steps she will follow in order to be prepared for the next examination. This might include spending more time every night completing mathematics problems and meeting with someone who can help explain what she does not understand. Similarly, a salesclerk may develop a plan to greet people with a smile in the shop, ask if he can help them, and then thank them for coming to the store.

Implementation and Monitoring:

    Once we have determined our goals and developed a plan to achieve them, then it is time for the next step in the process of self-management. This is implementation and monitoring. This means taking our plan and putting it into action. It involves taking the necessary time that is needed to make our plan work.

    To help with this, it is important to monitor our progress. We watch to see if the strategy working and if we are attaining the goals that are important to us. If not, it is essential to make some necessary adjustments.

    For example, let’s assume that a salesman has set a goal of selling fifteen computers in one month. He developed a plan and has been trying to follow it closely. It is now halfway in the month, but he has only sold three computers. He has been monitoring his strategy and notes that he has to change his sales approach if he wishes to achieve his goal. Accordingly, he decides to be more friendly and sincere as he deals with his customers.

    Monitoring is a very important aspect of strategy implementation. It is also very important to the entire self-management process as it can help us remain self-disciplined. We will study this in greater depth in the fourth lecture.

Conclusion:

    Self-management can help us control our reactions to what is happening in our lives. There are four steps in the whole self-management process.

    The first is Self-Observation. This means that we judge our ability to deal with a certain problem or challenge.

    The second step is Goal Setting and includes setting specific targets that are based on our observations and evaluations from the first step.

    The third step is Strategy Planning. This means developing a plan to help us achieve our objective and overcome the problem or challenge that we are facing.

    The fourth step is Implementation and Monitoring. This means taking our plan, putting it into action, and making any necessary adjustments that will help us achieve our goals.

Questions to Discuss with Others:

1. Which of the four phases appears to be the most critical or most important to successfully overcoming a problem or challenge? Why?
   
2. Which of the four phases appears to be the most difficult to follow? Why?
   
3. Think of a problem or challenge that you are currently facing. Work through each of the self-management phases for this problem. Share your ideas with a trusted friend who could offer good advice.

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