3. PERSONAL GROWTH
(Strive4Growth, n.d.a)
Brethren I count myself not to have apprehended, but this one
thing I do; Forgetting those things which are behind and
reaching for to those things that are before, I press toward the
mark for the prize of the high calling. Philippians 3: 13 -14
6. Self-Discipline
(Mackenzie & Nickerson 2009 )
Confidence in an unfaithful man in the time of trouble is like a
broken tooth and a foot out of joint. Proverbs 25:19 (KJV)
7. Self-Discipline
(Mackenzie & Nickerson 2009 )
Time Trap 1: Management by Crisis
Time Trap 2: Inadequate Planning
Time Trap 3: Inability to Say “No”
Time Trap 4: Poor Communication
Time Trap 5: Poorly Run Meetings
Top 5 Traps as Respondents See Them
16. References
Cohen, J. (2014, June 18). 5 proven methods for gaining self-discipline. Retrieved from
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennifercohen/2014/06/18/5-proven-methods-for-gaining-self-
discipline/#42d724a16987
Englishttime.mihanblog. (n.d.) EnglishTime. [Image]. Retrieved
fromhttps://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8
&ved=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fenglish-ttime.mihanblog.com%2F&psig=AFQjCNFBb8Fjwh-
dT47Ekmpzsyyp6A7yUQ&ust=1477519426508336
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ve
d=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fenglish-ttime.mihanblog.com%2F&psig=AFQjCNFBb8Fjwh-
dT47Ekmpzsyyp6A7yUQ&ust=1477519426508336
Esposito, E. (2015, November 11). The essential guide to writing SMART goals. Retrieved from
https://www.smartsheet.com/blog/essential-guide-writing-smart-goals
FightMediocrity. (2015, June 19). Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi | Animated book review.
[Video Podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h6IMYRoCZw
Gisborne. (n.d.).The art of decision-making. Retrieved from
http://www.gisborne.com/pdf/The_Art_of_Decision_Making.pdf
Klosowski, T. (2014, August 21). The importance of self-awareness and how to become more
self-aware. Retrieved from http://lifehacker.com/the-importance-of-self-awareness-and-how-to-
become-mor-1624744518
Mackenzie, A. R. & Nickerson, P. (2009). The Time Trap (4th ed.). Retrieved from
http://www.eefam.gr/assets/files/library/libreryone/The-Time-Trap25032015.pdf
Lee, Mark. (1978). How to set goals and really reach them. Portland, Oregon: Horizon House
Publishers.
17. References
Quotesgram. (n.d.). Quotes about reaching for the stars. Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ve
d=0ahUKEwj69fjT5vbPAhUlh1QKHXEADqMQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fquotesgram.com
%2Fquotes-about-reaching-for-the-
stars%2F&bvm=bv.136593572,d.cGw&psig=AFQjCNE2sOGJ6VCTqDzeLQFcceGyT254gw&u
st=1477513144268088
SkillsYouNeed. (2015). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ve
d=0ahUKEwiqlrfzxfbPAhXDy1QKHXB0AakQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skillsyouneed.
com%2Fps%2Fpersonal-
development.html&bvm=bv.136593572,d.cGw&psig=AFQjCNG0sAe0og6kP3I6GGnm979w-
pl95A&ust=1477505163266180
Strive4Growth. (n.d.a). Personal growth. [Image]. Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ve
d=0ahUKEwipuoGnvvbPAhVLrVQKHWUfAGMQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstrive4growth.
com%2Fself-
discovery%2F&psig=AFQjCNGMW7JE36y7VwAqfJtXZeoyc4yw1A&ust=1477502909070250
Strive4Growth. (n.d.b). Who am I. [Image]. Retrieved from https://strive4growth.com/self-
discovery/
Suttle, R. (2016). Organizational skills in the workplace. Retrieved from
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/organizational-skills-workplace-1277.html
Turak, A. (2014, January 10). What every leader must know about personal development.
Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/augustturak/2014/01/10/what-every-leader-must-
know-about-personal-development/#2cdc920750fd
18. References
Umass Dartmouth (n.d.) Decision-making process. [image].
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ve
d=0ahUKEwiIs92d9_bPAhXli1QKHZlNDhUQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.umassd.edu
%2Ffycm%2Fdecisionmaking%2Fprocess%2F&psig=AFQjCNGzRzUQNTUf3ZgGZAPlacfon8v
ISg&ust=1477518377377517
University of Kentucky. (n.d.). So what is “self-care?” Retrieved from
https://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/VIPCenter/downloads/self%20care%20defined.pdf
Writing, A. (2016). The advantages of organizational skills. Retrieved from
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-organizational-skills-276.html
Young Yet Wise. (n.d.). Goal Setting Archives. [Image]. Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fstudentsuccess.unc.edu%2Ffiles%
2F2012%2F10%2FiStock_000009376848Small3.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fyoungyetwis
e.com%2Fcategory%2Finspiration%2Fgoal-
setting%2F&docid=bUee5KMdgr7TAM&tbnid=b5Y_ASk1vHvE2M%3A&w=595&h=807&safe=a
ctive&bih=761&biw=1538&ved=0ahUKEwiW5oaa4vbPAhWosVQKHYNTC9wQMwhWKAYwBg
&iact=mrc&uact=8
Editor's Notes
Turak (2014) states that the primary purpose for our existence is to become the best human being that we can be. The implication is that success is becoming/being the best that I can be, not necessarily external accomplishments.
Man is a mystery. I occupy myself with this mystery because I want to be a man. Fyodor Dostoevsky (in Turak, 2014)
The great philosopher, Socrates, once said that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” He also encouraged us to “know yourself” and “to your one’s own self be true.” A little philosophy never hurt anyone. It’s a shame that so few young people understand the value of philosophy any longer.
The Dostoevsky quote means that personal growth is about self-awareness. In the leadership context, self-awareness relates to knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses, having a strong sense of self-worth and self-esteem, and having a clear sense of direction in life.
The great philosopher, Socrates, once said that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” He also encouraged us to “know yourself” and “to your one’s own self be true.” A little philosophy never hurt anyone. It’s a shame that so few young people understand the value of philosophy any longer.
The Dostoevsky quote means that personal growth is about self-awareness. In the leadership context, self-awareness relates to knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses, having a strong sense of self-worth and self-esteem, and having a clear sense of direction in life.
Waylon Jennings - Looking for love in all of the wrong places. One must learn to love themselves before s/he will be able to fully appreciate the love that comes from another.
Self-improvement is impossible without self-awareness. (Klosowski, 2014)
Self-reflection
Self-honesty
Journaling
Intimate interaction
The Time Trap is a classic management book on time management. I read it early on in my career and it helped me tremendously. The pdf is available online at http://www.eefam.gr/assets/files/library/libreryone/The-Time-Trap25032015.pdf. The book explores the topic of time management and addresses problems that hinder people from maximizing their life and time. The book is organized into 4 sections: part 1, why we stay trapped; part 2, the time trap list; part 3, life lessons part 4, quick solutions.
Cohen (2014) informs us that self-discipline is really a learned behavior that requires practice and repetition in daily life. Self-discipline is really just a matter of establishing good daily habits.
Meditate/pray – get in touch with your inner-self daily
Remove temptations -don’t play with fire, you will get burned.
Eat regularly and healthy – take care of you.
Be proactive – don’t wait to feel right to make changes (Don’t procrastinate)
Reward yourself regularly – don’t drive yourself
Forgive yourself and move forward – Be kind to yourself, set realistic expectations
The Time Trap is a classic management book on time management. I read it early on in my career and it helped me tremendously. The pdf is available online at http://www.eefam.gr/assets/files/library/libreryone/The-Time-Trap25032015.pdf. The book explores the topic of time management and addresses problems that hinder people from maximizing their life and time. The book is organized into 4 sections: part 1, why we stay trapped; part 2, the time trap list; part 3, life lessons part 4, quick solutions.
Cohen (2014) informs us that self-discipline is really a learned behavior that requires practice and repetition in daily life. Self-discipline is really just a matter of establishing good daily habits.
Meditate/pray – get in touch with your inner-self daily
Remove temptations -don’t play with fire, you will get burned.
Eat regularly and healthy – take care of you.
Be proactive – don’t wait to feel right to make changes (Don’t procrastinate)
Reward yourself regularly – don’t drive yourself
Forgive yourself and move forward – Be kind to yourself, set realistic expectations
Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize! Prioritize your priorities! Discuss priorities.
How to Set Goals and Really Reach Them by Dr. Mark Lee (1978)
“if you reach for nothing, you will probable get what you reached for.”
S.M.A.R.T
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time-limited
The Art of Decision-Making
The typical 4 steps we take to arrive at a decision...
You encounter a choice...But spotlighting causes you to miss some of the options
You then analyze your position...But the need to confirm your opinion leads you to gather self serving information
You make a choice...But short term emotion often tempts you to make the wrong decision
Then you live with your decision...
Too often we are overconfident about how the future will unfold – “this will not be a problem”
Changing the way we reach decisions No one can deactivate their biases – they are part of who we are. However we can counteract them with new strategies...
You encounter a choice... Widen your options 2.
You analyze your options... Reality Test your assumptions 3.
You make a choice... Attain distance before deciding 4.
Then you live with it...
Prepare to be wrong Not all decisions we arrive at will be correct – however if we use a “less biased’ process we will have a higher likelihood of success.