Self-Management:
Do You Know Where You Are Now?

At the core of self-management is your self-concept, and how it plays out in your life: the one where you’re a star and the one where you’re a little lost. Reality lies somewhere in the middle. Your self concept inevitably reflects some reality and some fantasy.

The two strategic questions are:

• How can you best use your strengths and talents to achieve the things that will make you happy, productive and successful?
• How can you know if you’re truly maximizing your potential?

If you’re young, you may not know yourself well enough to answer these questions. If you’re older, you know by now that you can do better.

Ask yourself: “Is this the best I can do? If not, where can I focus that will really make a difference?”

This is one reason so many people are turning to a coach to help them gain perspective. In the work I do, some of my smartest clients are pretty perceptive about themselves. And they know that they need another person if they want to grow beyond what they already know.

Most people insufficiently use their talents because they fear stretch goals and the prospect of leaving their comfort zones. They continue doing what they’ve always done because it’s safe, instead of taking risks and working with a professional coach. But self-discovery—especially of one’s strengths—is critical for any quantifiable success.

Most of us are reconciled to the path we’re on and rarely stop to take stock. Like the Energizer Bunny, we just keep going and going…and going.

Author Peter Bregman, in his book 18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done (Business Plus, 2011), proposes two tactics to break this negative momentum:

1. Slow down.
2. Start over.

Where Do You Want to Go?

Answer the following questions so you can begin to design a successful plan, avoid drifting and ultimately reclaim your life:

1. What are your strengths? Take a look at your life, work, proficiencies and the activities you enjoy.
2. What are your weaknesses? What subjects or tasks do you naturally avoid? How can you use your weaknesses to your advantage?
3. What are your differences? What makes you unique? How can your experiences, talents and proclivities make a difference to others?
4. What are you passionate about? Which tasks excite and energize you? How can you become more involved with them at work?

Somewhere at the intersection of these four questions lies your foundation for success and happiness. Your time is best spent on blending these components into something productive.

What are your thoughts about these four questions? I’d love to hear from you. Give me a call, 704-827-4474. Or, you can reach me here and on LinkedIn.