Identifying areas of improvement for self-development

Building a successful career takes work and it’s more than just setting goals for yourself. As part of self-development, it’s necessary to also identify and work on your areas of improvement. There are many ways to do this such as by taking courses to learn from a mentorship.

First, you need to effectively assess yourself before developing new skills to help unlock your full potential. Discover how you could identify opportunities for improvement and enhance your personal and professional development skills.

• Understanding your strengths and weaknesses
• Setting specific goals for improvement
• Developing new skills
• Areas of improvement: 10 examples
• Building emotional intelligence
• Conclusion
• FAQs

Understanding your strengths and weaknesses

Be honest with yourself. Do you use your time wisely at work? Are you good at resolving conflicts? To evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, use these self-assessment tools and techniques.

SWOT analysis

The SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) is used to analyze company performance but it could also be used to identify employee development areas. A SWOT table will look like this:

At a glance, you see potential areas for professional development. Ask yourself: Which strengths could you use for professional development areas? Which weaknesses should you address to avoid threats?

High5 Strengths test

The High5 Strengths Test is a personality test that asks 120 questions about yourself. It measures your performance across 20 strength topics divided into four categories: Doing, Feeling, Motivating, and Thinking. The test lists your top five strengths so choose what areas to focus on.

Other tests that will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses include the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Values in Action (VIA) Survey of Character Strengths, and Gallup's CliftonStrengths Assessment. Asking your employer for a performance review will also help you determine your areas of improvement at work.

Setting specific goals for improvement

Once you know your strengths and areas in need of improvement, you set specific personal and career goals. Here’s how:

Using the SMART goal-setting framework

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable (or Achievable), Relevant, and Time-bound. When setting a goal, check if it is:

• Specific: What is your goal?
• Measurable: Is there a way to measure how successful your goal could be?
• Attainable or achievable: Is there a high chance you will achieve it?
• Relevant: Is it important to you or your career?
• Time-bound: Can you meet this goal within a clear timeframe?

Prioritizing areas of improvement at work

Don't be too hard on yourself when it comes to your weaknesses. Gallup, a global advisory firm, made a study on millions of employees over 50 years. Results show that positive psychology works. So don’t waste time on areas irrelevant to your line of work. Instead, prioritize areas in which you could excel.

Different methods will help you identify which tasks and areas of self-improvement to prioritize. Some examples include the MoSCoW method, which classifies goals into four categories, and the Eisenhower Decision Matrix. 

Another technique is Warren Buffet’s 2-list Strategy (25-5 Rule). This helps you choose the right goal to work on. It keeps you focused by showing you how to declutter your mind.

Creating an action plan for areas in need of improvement

Your action plan functions as a professional development plan. A specific course of action will help you manage your development. List specific tasks to help reach your goals and make goals measurable and achievable.

Here’s an example of a simple action plan based on a SMART goal.

SMART goal: Discover 20 millennial values different from Gen X values in three months to improve my knowledge about this target market in the Philippines.

Action plan tasks:

• Read three articles a week about millennials and their values.
• Explore websites and topics that are popular with millennials.
• Conduct a focus group discussion with millennials on how they spend their money.

Also read: Crush your career goals in 2023

Developing new skills

Developing new skills is a necessity in our ever-changing world. You might need to use a new app or software for work or take on a responsibility that requires a certain skill. Never stop learning and treat the process like a chance to discover opportunities for improvement.

The importance of continuous learning

Continuous learning helps you meet your personal and professional goals and prepares you to respond to the changes around you, so you work more efficiently. 

A Harvard Business Review article encourages people to make learning a part of their daily routine because having a mindset that embraces learning is invaluable in the Filipino workplace. This helps you stay ready for opportunities and resilient to the changing times.

Identifying skills to develop and opportunities for improvement

Look at your strengths and weaknesses. Examine your career goals and action plan. Based on these, identify a skill or two to develop. 

Aside from job-related technical skills, there are a lot of transferable skills you should develop. Transferable skills are useful regardless of your role or industry.

Resources for skill development

Learning new skills, upskilling, and reskilling have become easier thanks to the internet. There are different online learning and teaching platforms and open online course providers.

You could also explore formal or traditional education and enroll in a postgraduate course if you take a vocational course. Additionally, you should learn through a mentor or training program. 

Some companies offer free training or subsidized learning programs for their employees. Ask your HR department for more information.

10 areas of improvement examples

Improving communication skills

Good communication is needed for successful presentations, building trust, and more. Here are some ways to improve your communication skills:

• Be an active listener. Listening is the most crucial part of communication. It shows you're fully engaged with what the other person is saying.
• Strengthen your non-verbal communication. During conversations, maintain eye contact, and nod and smile when appropriate. Speak in a calm and confident tone, especially during stressful situations.
• Speak clearly. Knowing what to say and how to say something will encourage people to listen to you more. You should practice speaking in front of a mirror. Consider joining a public speaking program.
• Enhance your level of writing. Improve your mastery of grammar. Write in a way that is clear and easy to understand. For example, use bullet points to make your instructions more understandable.

Enhancing time management skills

Good time management increases your efficiency and productivity, helps you meet deadlines and also gives you enough time for rest. Prioritize your tasks and avoid procrastination by using the following time management techniques:

• Kanban system
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  ⁠The Kanban system uses a whiteboard divided into four columns and sticky notes of different colors (the kanban or visual card). The whiteboard represents a specific project, the notes are specific tasks, and the columns show the different stages of completion:

You write one task each on the sticky notes, then move these across the columns until all are in the done column. You will see your progress right away and respond accordingly.

• Pomodoro technique
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  ⁠The Pomodoro technique uses a timer to reduce interruptions to your focus and workflow. Choose a task you want to complete, work for 25 minutes, and then take a break for five to 10 minutes. 
  ⁠
  Repeat this three times to make a set. One set equals four 25-minute periods. After one set, take a 20 to 30-minute break. Repeat another set until you finish the task or feel you’ve done enough for the day. 
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  ⁠If you complete a task before a work period or set ends, use your remaining time to review your work. Many companies in the Philippines use this technique, making adjustments to fit their needs.

• Eat the frog
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  ⁠This time management technique was inspired by the famous Mark Twain quote: “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”
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  ⁠To eat the frog means doing the hardest task first. Once you’re done, do the next hardest task, and so on. After “eating the frog” other tasks will seem easy in comparison. 

Building emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage your emotions. High emotional intelligence will help you to empathize with others and resolve conflicts smoothly which will build stronger relationships. Companies look for this skill when they choose their leaders.

To increase your emotional intelligence:

• Build your self-awareness. Reflect on your thoughts and emotions. Observe how they affect your reactions.
• Learn self-management. Adapt to changing circumstances. Practice mindfulness. Find a hobby or interest to help you de-stress.
• Nurture your relationships. Practice empathy. Build positive relationships with the people around you.

Improving leadership skills

Leadership is the ability to guide a group of people toward the fulfillment of goals. As your career develops, you’ll be expected to take on more responsibilities and challenges.

Here are some ways you can improve your leadership skills :

• Model what you want to see in others. A leader leads by example. For example, by being disciplined you encourage others to do the same.
• Consider the big picture. Think about how a decision or project will benefit your entire company or reap future rewards. Foresight will help you better manage situations and people.
• Empower your team through positive feedback and constructive criticism. Learn how to delegate tasks to encourage others to take ownership of their work.

Developing critical thinking skills

Critical thinking is the ability to sort through information to make reasonable and informed choices. Being able to think critically will help you understand yourself and others, and make wise decisions in your personal and professional life.

Here are three habits to help develop your critical thinking skills:

• Ask more questions. Consider whether the things you believe are based on facts or assumptions. For example, if you believe that you have loyal customers, ask yourself why. Is there data to support that? Have you done focused research on your customers? Question assumptions. Make better decisions by determining what is factual and what is not.
• Research. When faced with an issue, dig deeper and review the information you get. Find out if there are enough facts to support a claim or statement before forming conclusions.
• Listen to people with different opinions. Listening helps you look at problems and challenges from a new angle. Critical thinkers have enough knowledge and confidence to back their decisions but are open to listening to others and considering different perspectives.

Improving problem-solving skills

We all face problems regularly but strong problem-solving skills will help us. Identify problems and what causes them and prioritize which problems to deal with first with practical solutions. Here are some techniques to improve your problem-solving skills:

• Clearly define the problem. Know exactly what the problem is. This way, you look for the best possible solution.
• Focus on the solution. Focusing on a problem breeds negativity and discouragement. Try to visualize the outcome or solution that you want to achieve instead. Explore different ways to reach that solution.
• Listen to relevant feedback. Other people see things differently or catch something you might have missed. If you are dealing with a problem at the workplace, ask your workmates their opinions.
• List as many solutions as you can. You should brainstorm and see what comes up. Don’t dismiss “crazy” solutions right away. A lot of great things start from a crazy idea!

Enhancing decision-making skills

Decision-making skills involve analysis, creativity, critical thinking, and flexibility. Good decision-making skills help you in your career, relationships, and everyday choices. Here are some ways you could enhance your decision-making skills:

• Stay informed. You need to have all the relevant information at your disposal when dealing with challenges. Gather as much data as you can about a problem or situation. Talk to others before making a decision.
• Consider all your options. Before making a decision, look at the alternatives that are in front of you. Avoid being impulsive. Think things through before you decide.
• Be decisive. Once you know you are making the right decision, stick with it. Your decision may not be an easy one or the popular choice but it is important to stand firm and be ready to defend your decision.
• Be prepared to be wrong. You can't be right all the time. If your decision did not lead to your desired outcome, learn from your mistakes. You will make a better decision next time.

Improving teamwork skills

Knowing how to work as part of a team is an essential component of most jobs. Good teamwork increases productivity and allows tasks to be completed more efficiently. Here are some techniques for improving teamwork:

• Know your company and team structure. It’s important to know what each person does. Find out who you should report to. This helps you approach the right person when dealing with a task.
• Get to know your workmates. Join social events hosted by your company like a Christmas event. Build cordial and friendly relationships with others in the workplace. This lets you work comfortably with others.
• Communicate regularly. Communication is essential for good teamwork. Practice active listening. Give feedback. Accept constructive criticism.

Improving financial literacy

Financial literacy is the ability to handle your financial resources wisely. Financial literacy skills include knowing how to budget, invest, and save your money. Being financially literate will help you lessen your debt, save money, and prepare for retirement.

Here's how you can improve your financial literacy:

• Learn how to budget. You may do this by keeping track of your earnings and expenses. You shouldn’t spend more than what you earn. Make a budget plan.
• Manage your debts. Before taking out a loan, check the interest rates and payment terms. Plan out how to pay your debts sustainably. Use your credit card wisely.
• Save for your retirement. While SSS may give you a pension, you shouldn't rely on that. Open a savings account if you don’t have one yet. Deposit a specific amount regularly to build up your savings.
• Explore investment options. If you have extra money, consider investing. You should talk to a financial advisor or research to learn about the stock market, mutual funds, and other financial instruments.

Developing a growth mindset

Having a growth mindset means you believe that your skills could be developed through hard work, good learning strategies, and feedback. 

Research findings show that those with a growth mindset tend to achieve more. Employees who work at companies that have embraced the growth mindset feel more empowered. They also receive greater support when it comes to collaboration and innovation.

You can cultivate a growth mindset by:

• Embracing challenges. All challenges are opportunities for growth and learning and can motivate you to think of new solutions and consider different perspectives. 
• Having a positive attitude. Having a growth mindset means you believe you can learn new things and develop new skills. You may feel discouraged at times, but be kind to yourself and positive in your words and actions.
• Valuing the process over the result. When trying something new, focus on the process and don’t worry about getting things right. Not only will you enjoy the experience more, but you might also learn something new or discover something you’re good at!

Conclusion

Identifying and working on your areas of improvement at work will help you be the best version of yourself in your personal and professional lives. By being aware of the skills you possess and developing them, you will understand your strengths and weaknesses, set goals for improvement, and develop new skills.

Working on a particular area of improvement might seem challenging but you now have tips and techniques to help you every step of the way. 

You can also talk to your colleagues and employer and ask for tips, advice, and encouragement, or read more Jobstreet articles to help you out. Taking the first step toward improvement might feel difficult but once you “eat the frog” things can get easier. 

Good luck!

FAQs

1. What are some common areas of improvement at work?
   ⁠⁠Some common areas of improvement include communication, time management, emotional intelligence, leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, teamwork, financial literacy, and developing a growth mindset. You can work on improving other soft skills as well.
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2. How do I know which areas of improvement to focus on?
   ⁠⁠Start focusing on your areas of improvement by identifying and understanding your strengths and weaknesses. You can use self-assessment tools or techniques to guide you such as a SWOT analysis or a personality assessment test. Once you have identified specific personal strengths and weaknesses, you can set SMART goals for improvement and create an action plan.

3. How long does it take to see development in areas in need of improvement?
   ⁠⁠There is no specific time frame when it comes to personal development. Each person learns and improves at their own pace. Once you have set your goals, you can also give yourself a realistic and achievable amount of time to meet them.

4. What resources are available for me to work on areas in need of improvement?
   ⁠⁠Ask your employer if your company has available employee development training programs you can join. If you know people with more experience in your industry, you can ask them for advice or mentorship. There are many online courses and training providers you can look into or you can explore options for further training and education at different educational institutions.

5. How do I stay motivated to continue improving?
   ⁠⁠Set SMART goals and create an action plan to guide you. Have a positive attitude and keep in mind the reasons why you want to improve. Working on your areas of improvement can be challenging, so remember to practice self-care by getting enough sleep, eating on time, exercising, and taking regular breaks.