Planning is bringing the future to the present so you can do something about it nowAlan Lakein
In this topic, we will look a little into planning, an important management skill and, a hard one to master.
Imagine how hard it must be not to know where you want to go. Now imagine how frustrating it is to know what we want but not how to do it. There is a solution to tackling these problems: Planning.
The art of planning is more than just a skill. It is a way to handle and solve problems by studying our possibilities, identifying resources and accurately measuring our progress throughout time so we can readjust our expectations and land a realistic route to achieving our goals.
All plans are different depending on what you are using them for. However, they all incorporate the following.
- An initial point: The place where you are now.
- A destination: The place where you want to be in the future.
- A route or map: A clear pathway to evaluate your options to reach your destination.
- A compass: A tool to measure your progress.
Planning is one of the critical skills you should wield when managing people. Coaches, captains of a team and even business/ brand owners use planning as a routine for their everyday activities.
There are several types of planning you should consider mastering. We are going to focus on our personal and professional plans.
We all have aspirations, goals, dreams. We know what we want, but how do we get there? Do we know what we need to do so? If the answer is yes, you know how to plan. It is the step that you need to take to get somewhere.
Watch: HOW TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE WITH A PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (10.00 minutes)
It is not easy to get a job, especially if we are inconsistent. Most people make the mistake of overlooking how vital planning is to get a job successfully.
Imagine going for an interview and not getting called after. Most people will investigate other positions, but people with an employment plan know how to give value to this rejection and carry out the following steps.
Breaking down the steps
Now that you know the steps, let us look at these in further detail.
Step 1: Consider what you want
Think about what you want and answer the following questions:
- What am I good at?
- What do I want?
- What is available?
Step 2: Know the skills required for the job
- Know which skills are required to get there.
- List the necessary or mandatory ones.
- Learn or improve those skills.
Step 3: Prepare your CV
- Get your CV ready.
- Ask people to review your CV before you send it to companies.
- Keep looking for improvements in your CV and how you present yourself in interviews.
Step 4: Be consistent
- Allocate yourself some specific time to reapply yourself and keep the search going.
Step 5: Apply regularly
- Keep applying every day.
- Research various jobs and apply. Even if you are unsure whether you will get it, use it anyway (job applications are a skill set all on their own).
Step 6: Track your efforts
- Keep a record of what jobs you have applied for, note down employer feedback (if given), and determine what skills you need to polish to land your dream job.
(Adapted from NASEF 2020)
Learning Activity Forum: Your eSports Plan
Let us think about our eSports plan. Using the following steps in as a guide, create a footprint on how to get where you want in eSports.
Step 1: Consider what you want
Step 2: Know the skills required for the job
Step 3: Prepare your CV
Step 4: Be consistent
Step 5: Apply Regularly
Step 6: Keep Track
Answer the following questions and discuss them with your peers and tutor.
- What are you hoping to gain from working in the eSports industry? Briefly explain what you want, what you are good at and what is available in the market.
- Which skills do you need to become what you want? List a few of the most indispensable hard skills and soft skills needed to become who you want.
- Besides studying, what are you doing every day to get there? Which habits are you trying to create to get where you want to be?
- How are you tracking your progress? Which tools are you using to keep a record of what and how are you doing?
Submit your responses via the Learning Activity Forum.
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