Management Tips:

Self motivation and self development

Dr. K. Kuhathasan
CEO Cenlead

You may have developed a “Self development plan” for you, as detailed in the “Business page” of CDN of November 2. The next step is to open a “Self Development Record Book” The first page of your record book should contain your personal and professional vision. Page two must contain the Mission, page there Your Goal and page four Your Objectivities.

Open separate pages for the following information and update the information regularly:-

I am a winner!

1. One thing I like about myself is:

2. One thing others like about me is:

3. One thing I do very well is:

4. A recent problem I’ve handled very well is:

5. When I’m at my best, I:

6. I’m glad that I:

7. Those who know me are glad that I:

8. A compliment that has been paid to me recently is:

9. A value that I try hard to put into practice is:

10. An example of my caring about others is:

11. People can count on me to:

12. They said I did a good job when I:

13. Something I’m handling better this year than last is:

14. One thing that I’ve overcome is:

15. A good example of my ability to manage my life is:

16. I am best with people when:

17. One goal I’m presently working towards is:

18. A recent temptation that I managed to overcome was:

19. I was surprised myself when I:

20. I think that I have the courage to:

21. If I had to say one good thing about myself I’d say that I:

22. One way I successfully control my emotions is:

23. One way in which I am very dependable is:

24. One important thing that I intend to do within two months is:

Open separate pages for the following information and update those information as and when necessary:-

1. What do I want to achieve in my career?

2. What contribution do I want to make?

3. What do I really want to do with my life?

4. What sort of plans I have to add to achieve my goals?

5. What am I planning to achieve in the short term?

6. What am I planning to achieve in the next year or so?

7. What should I achieve in the next five or ten years?

8. What should I do this year to move towards that?

9. What is my plan in about six years from now?

Finally prepare a “Self Development” graph as given here.

Plot and label your achievements of the past; plot and label your planned and projected achievements according to your personal and professional vision, mission, goals and objectives. Plot the posts and positions you want to achieve and the salary and other perks you want to enjoy.

Living examples

Most of the sports personnel use this type of graph for self motivation.

They plot and label the runs they have scored, the wickets they have taken. The medals they have won, etc. They also plot the planned achievements for the future.

An outstanding business gentlemen in Sri Lanka whose vision is to “open a new business venture on every birthday” adopts this self development graph and enjoys this strategy.

His phenomenal success and achievements are due to this way of self motivation.

Whenever you feel unhappy, depressed or in a bad mood, glance through your “Self development record book” page by page.

You will be self motivated and you will bounce back with lot of energy, enthusiasm, courage and determination to rise up to greater and greater heights of success, achievements progress and prosperity.

Eleven stages to self-motivation

1. Set motivation goals.

2. Mix with motivated people.

3. Keep making positive affirmations.

4. Make a commitment to be motivated.

5. Monitor your progress.

6. Set realistic challenges.

7. Change your routine, if necessary.

8. Motivate your team members.

9. Invest in learning materials (career long learning)

10. Keep fit and healthy.

11. Motivation is a career - long process.

Why should you put your self development plan in a record book?

1. It is a psycho-neural activity which helps to bridge and integrate the conscious mind as well as the subconscious mind.

2. Writing distils, crystallises and clarifies thoughts and helps to motivate you in achieving results.

3. It helps you to frame a mental picture. A mental picture stimulates your actions and acts as a facilitator in guiding you in achieving results.

4. It also helps to visualise goals on a continuous basis without much effort.

How to achieve your plan by visualisation

Once you’ve set realistic, measurable and time-bound plans you’ve made great start.

You’re miles ahead of those who hasn’t but your work is still far from over.

The secret of achieving is thinking and feeling. You must not leave your goal alone up in the air, as it were, but you must surround it with a web, with a network of thoughts and feelings.

This not only keeps you from getting side-tracked, but constantly reinforces your motivations. Here are some guideposts:

1. Put the list of your goals where you can read them daily.

2. Frequently visualise achieving your plans. Why are they important to you?

3. Use your imagination. This wonderful power to project your vision ahead can help you to create a better future.

Before men designed the command capsule and lunar landing craft that went to the moon, someone had to imagine this odd-looking craft.

You, too, should imagine how you will feel if you reach your goal? Don’t allow yourself merely to say ‘good’ but think in detail of just what it will feel like.

4. What specific action steps will you take and when? Write them down.

Remember that the longest journey starts with one small step.

5. What helps are at hand to aid you in achieving your plan?

6. Discuss plans with others, especially with those who are skilled in the field.

Monthly self check for development

1. Whose responsibility is it to improve yourself?

2. How much knowledge do you need to gain each year to improve yourself?

3. How have your personal skills improved?

4. What are the main weaknesses you have identified recently in yourself?

5. What are you planning to do about any of them?

6. What efforts have you made to keep up with new technology?

7. How could you do your job more effectively?

8. What opportunities does new technology allow for improvement?

9. Which management thinkers have helped you recently?

10. Which books have assisted you?

11. How much of your time are you spending developing your skills?

Final tips

1. Set a deadline.

2. Breakdown the plan into easily achievable stages.

3. Be prepared to change the direction, if necessary.

4. Check and review your plan regularly to ensure you are on the right track.

5. Concentrate your thoughts on what you want to achieve.

6. Build support for your plans.

7. Get opinion only from those who have such self improvement plans.

8. Ensure your plan is visible to you at all times.