Self-management skills and how to improve them

According to the Employee Wellness Report 2022, approximately 58% of Malaysian employees reported feeling burnt out from work. In light of the concerning statistics, it becomes crucial to explore effective ways to mitigate the impact of workplace stress on personal well-being. 

Understanding how to handle stress effectively is key to maintaining a healthy work-life balance and preventing the negative effects of burnout from permeating into other areas of life. 

If you want to avoid bringing home the stress and challenges you face in your workplace, you may want to look into your self-management skills. Improving them can help you reduce stress and live a healthier life. 

Self-management skills are a key set of tools or behaviours that you can use to manage your personal and professional activities. These critical skills enable you to not only perform better at your current workplace but also self-manage your career and increase your employability. 

Malaysian employers who are actively hiring often consider the self-management skills of potential job seekers. If you have these skills, it may give the employer confidence in your work capabilities. They may be more likely to trust you for the project or role. Here's what this article will cover: 

• Definition of self-management skills 
• Why are self-management skills important? 
• Assessing your self-management skills 
• Self-management strategies in the workplace 
• How to improve self-management skills 
• How to list self-management skills on your resume 
• Conclusion 
• FAQs 

Definition of self-management skills 

If you're wondering "What is self-management?" you're in the right place.  

Self-management refers to your ability to regulate your behaviours and emotions productively. This enables you to excel in your professional responsibilities for your benefit and those around you. With strong self-management skills, you're able to set goals and take the initiative to achieve them. 

Examples of effective self-management skills include the following: 

Organisation  

If you're an organised person, you may be able to plan, prioritise, and execute important tasks much more efficiently. This helps in reducing the stress you often get from procrastination. Moreover, it also allows you to apply this skill effectively in all areas of your life. 

Accountability 

Recognising when you are wrong and taking responsibility are two crucial self-management skills. Holding yourself accountable allows for self-evaluation. Additionally, you also gain valuable insights into how to proceed after a mistake. 

Goal setting 

If you don't set goals, you're less likely to be motivated to perform at your best. Goal-setting helps you determine exactly what you want to achieve. It forces you to manage your time and actions to meet your goals within the deadline, resulting in increased productivity. 

Time management 

Having strong time management skills can help in maintaining focus, as you are aware of the need to meet specific goals before their deadlines. This reduces the likelihood of distractions, allowing you to concentrate on organising your day effectively to meet those deadlines. 

Stress management 

As the job market in Malaysia gets more competitive, the pressure of finding a job can be just as tough as working in one. Taking control of your stress levels can keep your mind clear when looking for new opportunities or working in your current job. 

Why are self-management skills important? 

Given the opportunity, who wouldn't want to improve themselves and get better at their job? 

That's why self-management skills at work are vital. When you demonstrate these skills to your employer or hiring manager, they see that they can rely on you for what you can do. 

Having self-management skills means you can: 

• work independently 
• solve problems 
• take accountability 
• work in high-pressure situations 
• organise your workload 
• manage your time 
• stay motivated throughout a task or project 

Assessing your self-management skills 

Before you begin improving your self-management skills, you first need to know where you stand. While you can analyse yourself, it may also be helpful to get feedback from others. 

Here are some tips for assessing these skills: 

Review feedback 

One of the best ways to assess your self-regulation skills is to get feedback from others at your workplace. You can approach your peers or your employer. If you're looking for new opportunities, you may ask your friends or family for feedback. 

Reflect on how you set goals 

Another effective way to assess your self-management skills is by reviewing the goals you've set for yourself. If the goals seem to be too generic, you may want to consider making them more specific while still ensuring they are achievable. 

Ask yourself if you adhere to timelines 

Assessing your self-awareness and personal management skills also involves evaluating how you manage your time. Ask yourself: Do you effectively manage your time? Do you procrastinate often? Are you able to prioritise tasks efficiently? Are you able to meet deadlines consistently? Answering these questions can provide insight into your self-management abilities and areas for improvement, particularly in meeting deadlines consistently. 

Reflect on your organisation skills 

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by multiple tasks and unsure where to start? Reflecting on your organisational skills can help you prioritise tasks effectively. Improving organisation can also enhance your time management and problem-solving skills. 

Self-management strategies in the workplace 

Now that you know what self-management skills are, you may be wondering how you can apply these strategies in the workplace.  

There are several techniques you can use, depending on your workplace: 

Plan your day 

Use your self-management skills to plan your workday. This can help you organise and prioritise your tasks. It can also help you manage your time effectively and avoid procrastination. Try making a to-do list outlining all your daily tasks or important projects to work on. 

Use your calendar 

Most workplaces in Malaysia provide you with a calendar where you can add your tasks and manage them. If you don't have access to one, consider downloading a calendar app on your mobile device. This tool can help you track tasks and focus your efforts on the most urgent ones. 

Arrive at work on time 

Although it isn't uncommon for Malaysians to be late for work and meetings, being punctual is a good habit to adopt. Arriving on time helps prevent task delays, ensuring you have enough time to complete your work and leave the office on schedule. Punctuality demonstrates self-management, personal responsibility, and discipline. 

Take short breaks 

While it's essential to focus on your work, taking breaks can help you become more productive. It's important to take short breaks to prevent burnout. The last thing you want is to feel like you need a vacation every day. Save some time for leisure to help you feel refreshed and improve your well-being. 

How to improve your self-management skills 

Now that you've got a clear understanding of where you stand when it comes to your self-management skills, you can explore ways to improve them. 

Here are some methods for improving your skill set: 

Review your strengths 

Rather than focusing on your weaknesses, reflect on your strengths. What are you skilled at? How can you use your strengths to your advantage? For instance, if you excel at setting goals, this proficiency can also enhance your organisation, productivity, and time management. 

Prioritise 

You might face several tasks with no clear idea of where to start. Determine which task is due first or which is more important, and make it your priority. This approach can assist you in setting goals and managing your schedule effectively. 

Set deadlines 

Setting deadlines helps you complete the tasks on time. Schedule your activities to ensure clarity on what needs to be done and by when. This can help prevent procrastination. You can add deadlines to your to-do list or calendar to help you track your progress. 

Focus on one task at a time 

While multitasking may seem efficient, it can increase the likelihood of errors. Instead, concentrate on completing one task at a time. Although this approach may be slower, it allows you to focus fully on doing the task correctly. 

Evaluate your progress 

Assessing your progress is essential in your self-management journey. Take a step back to evaluate how far you have come. Identify areas for improvement and learn from any mistakes. This critical reflection helps you understand what went wrong and how to enhance your skills in the future. 

Use helpful tools 

If these steps feel like a chore, you may want to use some tools to help you out along the way: 

• Organise your schedule with a calendar 
• Take daily notes in a physical or digital notebook 
• Use sticky notes to remind you of tasks throughout the day 
• Set notifications or alarms to remind you to take breaks 

How to list self-management skills on your resume  

With the increasing value of soft skills among Malaysian employers, it's crucial to know how to effectively showcase your self-management skills on your resume. One way to instantly highlight these skills to the hiring manager is to create a separate column or section dedicated to listing them. 

Arrange your skills in order of strength. If you excel more in organisation than goal setting, place the organisation skill first. This gives the hiring manager a clear understanding of your skillset and overall capabilities. 

Be honest when listing your skills to give the hiring manager an accurate portrayal of your personality. 

Here are some examples of self-management skills to include on a resume: 

• deadline management 
• stress management 
• prioritisation 
• adaptability 
• problem-solving 
• organisation 

Conclusion 

Self-management skills play a pivotal role in improving your behaviour and emotions, enabling you to perform better in your personal and professional spheres. These skills can help you control and improve your organisational skills, manage your time and stress levels, prioritise, set goals, and so much more. They're especially beneficial to Malaysian employees who are working in a high-pressure environment or have a heavy workload.  

Whether you're looking for your next opportunity or want to improve in your current role, assessing personal management skills is essential for success. By nurturing these skills, you can unlock your full potential and thrive in various aspects of life. 

FAQs 

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about self-management: 

1. What are the seven principles of self-management? 
   ⁠The seven principles of self-management are time management, self-motivation, stress management, adaptability, decision-making, goal alignment, and personal development. 
2. How do I handle setbacks and failures in self-management? 
   ⁠You may experience hurdles on your journey to improving your self-management. The best way to handle a setback is to accept the mishap and seek feedback to prevent it in the future.
3. Should you list self-management skills on your resume? 
   ⁠Yes, you should list self-management skills on your resume. In Malaysia, many hiring managers highly value strong self-management skills. Including them in your resume can significantly enhance your chances of securing the job you desire. 
4. How can self-management skills benefit my career? 
   ⁠By assessing and developing these skills, you can improve your time management, self-control, emotional regulation, stress management, organisational skills, adaptability, productivity, strategic planning, decision-making skills, and more.