By: Jennifer C. Zamecki, CPBA, CPVA, CAIA, TriMetrix
Current research shows that great achievers throughout history have mastered the skills of self management and personal accountability.
Self management is the ability to prioritize and complete tasks in order to deliver desired outcomes within allotted time frames. Ask yourself these following questions and if you have really mastered the skill of self management. Have you ever faced a day in which you just couldn’t get everything done that you had planned? How did you handle it? Do you consider yourself to be a good time manager? How much time do you spend getting organized on a daily basis? When do you do it? What impact do you think this habit has on your results? What is the difference between activity and results? How do you personally define this difference?
If you are considering going back to school for additional education, before you commit yourself, take a serious look at your self management skills.
Personal accountability is a measure of the capacity to be answerable for personal actions. Think of an example of a situation where others had made an error or mistake and you had to take the blame for their actions. How did you feel about doing that? What is the worst business decision you have ever made? What made it the worst? Would knowing what you do now have helped you to avoid making that decision? Think of a lesson you have learned from making a mistake. What did you do differently going forward? What person from history do you most admire for taking the blame for a failure? What did taking the blame do for that person?
These are more questions to ponder before deciding on the type of environment and system of learning you would like to pursue.
What is your motivation for higher education at this moment in your life? What’s your passion?
Theoretical rewards those who value knowledge for knowledge’s sake, continuing education and intellectual growth. Which is more important, action or knowledge? Would you consider yourself to be an expert in something? What is it? How did you go about gaining the knowledge? What do you especially like or enjoy about learning things? What topics or subjects do you enjoy? How comfortable are you in taking the time, energy and effort required to master a subject or topic you currently know very little about? How about one in which you have very little interest?
Traditional rewards those who value traditions inherent in social structure, rules, regulations and principles. Before you decide on a more “traditional” education system, ask yourself these questions. Is there an absolute right and absolute wrong? How do you decide what is right and what is wrong? How do you feel about rules? Have there been situations in your work experience when you were absolutely convinced that your rules or standards were superior to others? If so, why were they better? Were you able to convince them yours were better? Do you sometimes feel that things would be easier and better if there were fewer rules and procedures?
If you like a very structured environment, that is a defined system, then you may want to pursue your studies in a traditional educational system. If not, there are other alternatives today that focus more on the aesthetics of learning.
Aesthetic rewards those who value balance in their lives, creative self-expression, beauty and nature. How would you rank the importance of creativity and self-expression in your work? How do you personally express your unique creative side? Within your work environment, what single event, problem and/or unexpected situation has the potential to throw you off balance more than anything else? Describe your strategy for achieving and maintaining a comfortable level of balance and harmony in your life. What would you say you are most sensitive to in your work environment and/or in general?
These questions will help guide you to a more alternative educational program. Before you sign up for your next degree or classes, please spend some time reflecting on the questions I’ve posed.
If you would like to find out currently what your passions, skills and behaviors are, please visit us on the web at: www.Well-Run.com or email us at: success@Well-Run.com. We can help you discover your full potential.
Your comments are encouraged and welcomed.
I look forward to hearing from you.
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Thank you~
Jennifer C. Zamecki
WELL-RUN Concepts Inc.
Helping Organizations Define and Develop Top Talent
Ph: (352) 624-2684 Toll Free: (877) 566-2900
Fax: (352) 624-2689
303 S.E. 17th St. Suite 309-170
Ocala, FL 34471
Web Address: www.well-run.com
email: Jennifer@well-run.com
About the Author Jennifer Zamecki
Jennifer Zamecki is the Founder and President of Well-Run Concepts Inc., a Human Resources consulting firm that specializes in the TriMetrix Process for analyzing the unique configuration of personal skills, behaviors, and motivators required for a specific job. Her specialties include:
- Assessments
- Hiring top talent
- Management training
- Employee selection and coaching systems
- Executive Management and Leadership Coaching
- Job benchmarking
- Leadership
- Profiles
- Talent and performance management
- Talent development and coaching
- Talent selection and recruitment
- Teamwork, team building, and communication
- Validated assessment tools
