As the start-up of the fall 2023 college semester gets closer…I always try to “debrief” how my 2022 classes went and try to identify any significant factor that hindered students from successfully completing my class or other classes they were taking.

My discovery?  The majority felt that they struggled with The Challenges of Self-Management.

What were they referring to?  Well as I recalled different class discussions, I can report they were quite honest about their inability to correctly show self-control or self-regulation in challenging situations.  Related to these admissions were comments on trying hard to regulate youthful emotions, thoughts and behaviors that cropped-up when balancing college coursework and standard high school student situations.  The result was a common feeling of weak self-management among many.

Well the more I remembered and then researched about the struggles MANY people have regarding self-management…the quicker it rose to the top of my TRIPLE III TIME message topic list.

The Challenges of Self-Management are a very important personal and professional development responsibility for everyone!  Improvement actions can be simple and may include but not be limited to:

• Goal Setting: Select appropriate, time specific goals and plot a course for achievement.
• Adaptability: Understand that life/work is not an “exact-science” and change is NATURAL.
• Monitor Behavior: Calm and steady behavior is a great-self-management strategy.
• Self-Reinforcement: Maybe focus on what you have accomplished…more than what’s left to do.
• Decision-making: Make decisions with the information you have.  Delays will only complicate the choices.

There are books and seminars on self-management…but I hope these five mini-ideas help.

And PS:  If you haven’t already guessed…I am going to introduce The Challenges of Self-Management as this semester’s professional development COMMON SUBJECT for both of my classes!