My Improved Time Management Skills example essay topic

I recently received an email stating something to the effect of "setting personal goals is the first step to becoming a self-disciplined person". This was not news to me. Having heard various motivational speakers over the years, I'm familiar with the suggestion that people need goals to achieve what they want out of life. After thinking about this for some time, I've concluded that I have three main personal goals. By improving my time management, writing, and communication skills, I can boost my performance at work and school. In addition, I expect these skills will improve my relationships with family and friends.

The most critical goal will be improving my time management skills. Now that I've added school to an already busy schedule, I'm feeling somewhat overwhelmed. Hence I've taken some steps to free up time in my schedule. I've begun by eliminating unproductive activities such as watching the news. I get very consumed watching the news channels, especially with the war going on. Yet I don't feel any more informed after watching three hours of "breaking news" than I do spending five minutes glancing over a newspaper.

Other "time-wasters", however, aren't as obvious as that. For instance, procrastination has been a subtle liability of mine for some time now, and it's been a tough habit to break. Some of the course readings have helped me pinpoint why I procrastinate, Sometimes I put things off because I think I have plenty of time and I'll eventually get around to doing them. At other times I delay working on something because I'm overwhelmed and simply avoid it until I'm up against the deadline. Knowing why I procrastinate is helping me learn ways not to do so. Also, I'm discovering I have a tendency to work on things during times of day when I'm least effective.

The reading material on peak learning has helped me identify my best learning times, thus preventing me from wasting time trying to study when I'm not ready to. Managing time effectively will relieve me of the illusion that I don't have enough to get everything done. And finally, I need to develop my communication skills. I still get apprehensive about public speaking, though I have had some practice. At work, around new acquaintances, and even at some family gatherings, I get anxious when I'm about to speak knowing that attention will be focused on me.

I've heard suggestions like "Just pretend that your audience is naked and you won't be as nervous". I admire those who can use those kinds of mind tricks, but they " ve never helped me. I usually end up feeling naked myself. I just have to accept that I will be nervous and keep going. After all, by continuing on and improving my communication skills, I will improve my position at work. My company strongly encourages each of us to do presentations for fellow consultants on our particular specialization to give everyone a broader understanding of the various technologies our company works with.

I have avoided doing this and I think this may be slowing my advancement within the company. The few times when I have made presentations, I've felt un confident and as a result rushed through them to get done. I believe that by utilizing courses like GEN 300 that focus on presentation skills, I can gain greater confidence in my ability to speak in front of others. My improved time management skills will allow me to better prepare for public speaking, thus increasing my comfort level and I would also like to improve my writing skills. Becoming a better writer will help me academically, but more importantly it will improve my career. As consultants, we need to document our work.

Documentation is usually the final deliverable of our projects. I've been in a staffing engagement for three years and have had to write very little. It's unfortunate I get a sense of dread when faced with documenting my work. For example, I'm currently co-writing a white paper to help our sales team promote the company's offerings. Most of the document is completed and I just need to write a few paragraphs to finish it. Nevertheless, I'm paralyzed at the prospect of writing I have a very difficult time writing papers.

I tend to try to get things perfect in my head first before putting anything on paper. Consequently, I end up forgetting my ideas before getting them on paper. I'm trying to change that behavior, in fact, while writing this very paper. I'm already getting a sense of relief by forcing myself to write down ideas as they pop into my head, regardless of whether they seem perfect or not. It's working out very well, actually..