How to self-manage like a star

Managing people and projects is one thing, but managing yourself is quite another. The best workers, highest achievers and happiest people all know how to self-manage like a star. You can definitely be one of them. 

1. True grit. Most of us are inspired by movies, books and real-life stories of unbreakable persistence. Ambition is healthy, yet we rarely test our own limits. Sure that last 20% of your journey is often the hardest, the most physically or emotionally taxing, but never give up if on a goal that matters to you. Stand if you’ve fallen, crawl if you can’t walk, pull yourself if you can’t crawl. Do (almost) whatever it takes.
2. Patience is a virtue. You work hard and it’s reasonable to expect that things will go your way. You deserve it. But the reality is things don’t always go your way at the pace you’d like them to, and you have to be able to accept it. Frantically pressing that button until it breaks won’t make your results appear any faster. Chill out for a second, play your favourite music while you wait. It’s going to be fine.
3. Don’t worry, be happy. “In every life we have some trouble. But when you worry, you make it double.” It’s a sentiment still every bit as true now as when Bobby McFerrin sung this classic tune way back in 1988. There’s honestly nothing more important than your happiness. Don’t be afraid to chase it whenever you feel it slipping away.
4. Take a time-out. The most important time to take a time-out just happens to be when you think you have no time for one. You’re busy, frustrated, you just can’t even deal right now. STOP. Relax, breathe deeply, hit the gym, play Pokémon Go … do whatever works for you. Come back to the task with a fresh mind and you’ll be amazed how the inspiration suddenly flows.
5. Try something new. Nobody said new things were easy. How boring would life be if everybody was brilliant at everything the second they started? And how boring would life be if you only ever stuck to what you knew? Satisfaction is an underrated feeling that we achieve by challenging ourselves. Get cracking on some new stuff, make mistakes, learn on the run and improve in time. Let nobody accuse you of being stuck in the past.
6. You’re not alone. There’s no reason to let yourself become isolated. That’s a choice, and it’s usually a pretty bad one. When we collaborate we succeed, not just at work but in life. Your colleagues, your friends, your housemates, your new team, your old team, a former mentor, your parents (wow, there are so many people in your life!), or maybe even your dog. They all have the potential to help you in a moment of weakness. Speak up and let other people guide you to that light-bulb moment or elusive solution.
7. Make mistakes. Your first mistake is thinking that mistakes are bad. They’re not. When I was six years old attending Taekwondo class, the first thing they taught me to do was fall. That’s right, I practised falling down. It seemed like madness to a kid, but eventually I realised it was the most crucial skill I picked up in life. Now nothing feels better than standing up, fixing something and moving on from a fall. The rewards are always worth the bumps and bruises.
8. Push back. Metaphorically, of course; I’m a lover not a fighter. Push back against expectations or requests that don’t suit you. Too often we avoid using the word ‘NO’, yet nothing disastrous ever happened from me say no to a project, favour or sales flyer. Life continues as normal. There are plenty of times when ‘YES’ is your best friend, but don’t forget that ‘NO’ can be your buddy too.
9. Stay positive. Last but not least, maintain that positive attitude throughout the process. Learn to look high, not low. Look for the light at the end of the tunnel. It might only be a tiny flicker, but it’s always there. Good luck, and happy self-managing.