Managing Yourself

for Success

A person who’s committed to success won’t allow

him/herself to break stride, no matter how tempting
it might be to “take things easy for a month or two”.
 A Personal Story

My friend had joined a smallMidwest manufacturing company

about 15 years ago as a systems analyst. About the same time,
another young man came aboard as an accountant. Both were
aggressive go-getter types.

About three years ago, both men were made department heads.
At this point, my friend took a breather. He felt his achievement
allowed him to take it a little easier and enjoy his newly-won
position.
But his counterpart didn’t feel he’d graduated to the easy life.
He looked on his new position not as a victory won, but as a
new battle to be waged. He figured that unless he tackled an
area that has always been difficult for him – personally
managing and motivating people – he would not be meeting
the real demands of the new job. So he intensified his efforts,
and mastered the art of managing people.

Last May 1, this man became executive vice president of the

company, and heir apparent for the top spot. My friend still
heads his department.

Determination to set and meet personal challenges

Some suggestions:
• Make time work for you
• Personalize corporate goals
•Set short-range objectives
• Search out tough jobs
 Techniques to Use Time More Productively
Telephone Interruptions
1. Take no calls when busy –
call back
2. Make calls back in a
group
3. Delegate discussion and
response to others
4. Be brief – say “Thanks
for calling” or “I have
another call”
Drop-in Visitors
1. Have secretary interrupt
2. Stand up - conversations are
shorter
3. Move to door to indicate you
have another commitment
4. Delegate – encourage
initiative by assistants
5. Socialize elsewhere

Meetings
1. Test the need for “regular” meetings
2. Develop a purpose and agenda for each meeting
3. Start on time
4. Summarize conclusions and assign action to individuals
 Techniques to Use Time More Productively
Scheduled Appointments
1. Delegate Whenever Possible
2. Don’t schedule yourself too
tightly
3. Make daily to do list –
Prioritize A, B, C.
4. Ask what is best use of time
right now - Use wait time to
accomplish A priority
Handle Paper
1. Don’t put it down unless
you are dong something
about it
2. Write replies on original
correspondence
3. Use secretary to help
4. Throw out junk mail
5. Use email rather than
telephone or mail to
handle situation