Self-management skills are needed at work
The transformed world of work emphasises the ability to manage your own work. Self-management can mean a systematic approach to work, prioritising tasks and taking care of your well-being.
Remote work has become increasingly common, which is why self-management skills are increasingly important at work. When you work at home, you have more power and responsibility for the content and objectives of your work as well as your time management and well-being.
Self-management skills also apply to work at a more general level. According to work-life coach and non-fiction writer Miia Savaspuro, we no longer live in an era where employees’ work tasks and roles are well-defined and clear. We must accept that work tasks and roles change, and that the division of responsibilities is no longer as clear as it used to be. For this reason, self-management skills are one of the most important workplace skills.
Tips for self-management
Setting goals for your work is part of self-management. At the same time, you must keep in mind the basic task and objectives of your work community. You should also plan your work on a daily basis, on a weekly basis and in the longer term.
Self-managed employees must also make choices and know how to prioritise. This requires that everyone in your work community is aware of both your common goals and their personal powers and responsibilities. Everyone must also know the limits within which they may decide on their ways of working and the order of work.
The elimination of unnecessary interruptions and focussing on one matter at a time help you work smoothly. It is therefore important that you agree on common ways of reducing interruptions at the workplace. A calm work environment and functional tools are also important in this context.
When you manage your own work, you must regularly assess your progress and identify your successes. Identifying your strengths and development areas is important. You should also take advantage of the feedback you receive from other people. Remember that you may also request feedback.
Your employer is responsible for arranging recovery opportunities during workdays. It is important that you take advantage of these opportunities and also ensure recovery in your free time. You should take care of your comprehensive well-being. Try to identify your limits; if you notice signs of excessive stress, you should raise the matter with your supervisor.
Managing your thoughts and emotions may include being able to motivate yourself even when carrying out routine tasks that are not very meaningful to you. It also means patience in slow situations, the ability to tolerate uncertainty and to start your work over when you encounter changes or failures at work.
Tips for self-management are also available at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health website. In this article, researcher Kirsi Yli-Kaitala lists seven tips for getting better at self-management.
Don’t forget to read our news item discussing another important workplace skill, competence development.
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Competence development one of the most important working life skills