MANAGEMENT

Study Skills for Distance Learning

Study Skills for Distance Learning

Introduction

A key method to increase self-confidence is a personal SWOT analysis. This technique is also used in the business administration and aims to ensure strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of an object or person at a workplace. The acronym SWOT stands for "strengths", "weaknesses", "opportunities" and "threats". It is used in the context of strategic decisions in the business world in order to evaluate business ideas, businesses or whole industries and to simply summarize and analyze results in a clear structure. However, the same SWOT analysis can be used for the training of self-awareness and self-promotion. Personal effectiveness is efficient achievement of personal goals. Personal effectiveness can move from its current state to a desired state and covers the entire life (not just professional field) (Rogak, 1999, pp. 35).

Personal effectiveness can be described by three basic concepts:

•Awareness of their intentions and goals

•Management of personal resources (time, health, money.)

•Communicating with others

Discussion

The analysis, which is normally used by companies, organizations, departments, projects or plans, can also be done on a personal level. The strengths and weaknesses of the person can be examined, optimal use of the strengths can be identified, and their hidden weaknesses can also be viewed on the positive sides. Thus, the best in each individual can be brought forth.

A personal SWOT analysis may reveal certain characteristics in a person that contribute to the personal effectiveness of that individual in a workplace. These characteristics may be;

Ability to clearly set goals. Personal planning.

The ability to consistently and systematically allocate their efforts.

The ability to simultaneously engage in several cases. Structural vision and thinking.

Ability to sum up each day. Expenditure of energy, thoughts and actions.

The ability to see small achievements, and develop them into great achievements.

Intuition.

Performance.

The total concentration on work and dedication of all time.

Balance between work and personal life. Work and personal lives are two mutually stimulating part.

Varied interests.

Specialization.

Spiritual values (Rogerson, 1999, pp. 301).

Personal SWOT Analysis

Successful businesses benefit from the development of a mission statement, a long-run vision of what the organization strives to be. In defining its mission, however, an organization has to have a clear understanding both of itself and the environment around it. Without awareness of its strengths and weaknesses, and of the opportunities and threats that exist around it, an organization could find itself with a mission that is out of sync with the needs of the customers it seeks to serve. In the same way, an individual seeking to advance in a chosen career field must understand both their own current position and the dynamics of the business world they want to compete in. It is my intention herein to develop a mission statement for myself, “Me in 2013”. I will use the technique of a SWOT analysis to examine my current strengths and weaknesses, along with the opportunities and threats that exist around me both now and potentially in the future, to determine a path forward toward my ...