By TRWCBlogger
Ever wondered why some people achieve their goals faster and better than others? One of the factors that distinguish high achievers from average performers is personal effectiveness. Personal effectiveness is an important term in personal development. To be more productive and reach your highest potential, you must know how to maximize your skills and abilities.
What is Personal Effectiveness?
Personal effectiveness means different things to different people, depending on their goals, values and priorities. But generally, it has to do with making the best use of your personal and professional resources—skills, talents, time, energy, strengths, experiences, etc.—to achieve your set goals, either in your personal or professional life.
Simply put, personal effectiveness has to do with how you manage yourself. It is about taking ownership of your own life.
What Does Personal Effectiveness Mean for You?
Personal effectiveness is important both in your personal and work life. Whether you want to be a better parent, a successful salesperson or a better leader, you need to master how personal effectiveness works.
In your personal life, it can help you realize your goals and become a better person. And in the workplace, it translates to increased productivity, better time management, stronger work relationships, job satisfaction, etc. Either way, it helps you to become a more competent person.
The different degrees or levels of this effectiveness in people contribute to the variations in their results. It is important that you understand personal effectiveness, how it works and how to implement it in your life as you pursue a successful and fulfilling life.
What You Need to Improve Your Effectiveness
Here are 5 skills and competencies you need to improve your effectiveness:
1. Goal setting
Be clear on your goals and priorities.
What exactly do you want to achieve in your personal life or career? What skills do you need to achieve your goals? Your goals will determine the skills you need to focus on and develop.
Make sure your goals are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound). Also ensure to keep them at the forefront of your decision-making.
2. Time management
How you spend your time, what you spend it on and who you spend it with all determine your life outcome. When you are clear on your goals, you can decide what skills to invest your time and effort in developing. Also, having a work schedule and setting timelines for completing tasks help to improve your effectiveness.
To be an effective person, you must avoid procrastination at all costs. Leveraging technology in managing time also helps you to get more done quickly. With your goal(s) in focus, find out how to leverage technology in managing your time.
3. Self-discipline
Personal effectiveness is a product of self-discipline. Don’t be distracted; make sure you stick to your plan.
And never lose sight of your goals.
4. Emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is at the centre of enhancing the quality of your life. Your emotional quotient determines how you manage your emotions and relate to others.
To be an effective person—at home, in society and workplace—you must know how to relate well with people. We live in an interdependent world; we need others to become our best selves. Emotional intelligence will help you in nurturing the relationships that matter to your purpose and goals.
5. Continuous learning and development
Make it a habit to keep learning. Learn from everyday happenings. Set learning goals, develop your skills and take responsibility for your learning and development.
In the workplace, be intentional about learning from your superiors, colleagues and even those below you on the corporate ladder. In your personal life, embrace continuous growth.
Conclusion
Personal effectiveness is a common trait among successful people. Developing and honing the above-mentioned set of skills improve your effectiveness in all areas of your life and keep you ahead of the pack. Improving personal effectiveness is an ongoing effort. So, ensure you reflect periodically on your progress and make changes where necessary. Cheers to a better and more effective you!
Folakemi Onabanjo
