Our character is our identity and the way we build it is our personal effectiveness. In other words, personal effectiveness means caring about the difference you make as an individual. It is more than going through the motions, but rather, having a profound commitment to understand who you are and how you can make a difference. If you join the ranks of people who are students of personal and professional effectiveness, your life will become more meaningful, both at home and on the job. By following the below tips students and professionals can leverage their personal effectiveness degree to great heights.
Awareness: Look inside and think about your habits, behaviors and the values that you nurture. Explore how your core goals either help or hinder your progress. Self-awareness is the most critical step in the model because without it, you won't recognize the need for change.
Desire: Many people are aware that their behavior is ineffective, but they don't care. Self-awareness without a desire to change won't result in change. The goal of improving conditions or your situation at work or at home can be a strong motivation for change.
Knowledge: You have access to vast amounts of information on how to change a behavior or habit. Gaining knowledge is an easy step if you know where to look. Explore the Internet, visit your local bookstore, take a college course or attend a seminar but do attain the necessary knowledge.
Practice: Only when you practice constantly, does a new behavior replace an old one. Effective practice begins with setting a deadline for beginning a change that will increase effectiveness.
Success: Develop an image or vision of what the change you are seeking looks like. Success often comes in small packages. Don't overlook quick compliments from co-workers when they begin to notice your changes in behavior.
Habit integration: It takes time and effort to integrate changes in behaviour into your daily routine. Habits are born over time, and when practiced consistently, you'll begin to experience your behavioral change in a natural way.
Clarity: Clarity provides confidence. Ask questions if you are not 100 percent sure of your responsibilities. Schedule time quarterly to re-evaluate firm goals, how your responsibilities fulfill those goals, and how you can better partner with team members to reach each goal.
Research: Take time to research. Do your homework before taking on a new task. You'll be better prepared to present strategies to reach each objective.
Write a letter to your future self: Where do you see yourself in one year, three years, or even five years? What will be the same? What will be different? Write a letter to yourself and work hard to become that person.
Identify your blind spots: Blind spots are areas we are unaware of about ourselves and may cause good intentions to be perceived in a negative way. Blind spots can hold you back and prevent professional development. To identify blind spots you must be willing to look at yourself honestly, ask others for feedback, and be willing to make changes. Reach out to your peers and ask how you are perceived; you may discover behaviors that hinder your influence as well as strengths you're not aware of. View feedback as an asset rather than a judgment; which will allow you to make adjustments to align your reputation with your ideal self.
Know your competition: Identify what they're doing right and use it as a learning opportunity.
Acknowledge others: Help others excel, express gratitude, and give credit where credit is due. You'll be surprised how much encouragement and motivation helps your team and you rise together. Always remember, keep your actions positive
The writer is Pallavi Prakash, Motivational Speaker and Founder-CEO of KnowledgeSeed Learning Centre
