5 Self Management Steps

Self-Management is a key skill to success within small venture capital firms. Each and every person, from management teams to operational support, must take responsibility for their own self-management. Here are five practical steps to help you get there.

• Direct yourself before you direct others. If you want to self-manage, start by being your own boss and giving yourself tasks to complete. It will be difficult to manage assignments given to others if you cannot manage your own. This is an important first step.

• Do not pass the blame. Take responsibility for your own work. If there is an issue with something that you may have mishandled, do not pass the buck or try and fault someone else.

• Focus on the few things that matter. Do not waste your time with tasks that do not fit with your goals.

• Manage your time effectively. Set deadlines and stick to them. If you give yourself a deadline, you are more likely to get work done on time and out of the way faster.

• Be honest with yourself. If you are honest with yourself, you will be able to manage more efficiently. You will also know what you can and cannot accomplish within a given time frame. In the end, you will be able to set expectations more realistically.

If you are able to follow these simple rules, you will be off to a good start in self-management and ultimately managing others.