Essay Sample on Understanding Self and Others

Introduction

Developing a better understanding of self may improve an individual's capacity to comprehend the thoughts and feelings of other people. At some point in our lives, we go through self-reflection, a time to take stock of the resolutions that we have made and how they are affecting our lives. Self-reflection on skills enables an individual to achieve the intended tasks. The paper evaluates the concept of understanding self and others through the lens of self-reflection.

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Reflective Personal Development Plan Journal

Focus and Attention

Focus and attention is the brain's capacity to concentrate its attention on a target stimulus for any given time. Attention makes it possible to detect pertinent stimuli quickly. I am currently reinforcing my focus and attention skills. Focus and attention skills are essential during classes. When the skills fail to be harnessed, a student can fail in tests and class studies.

Focus and attention skills are crucial in achieving good grades in school. Without concentration, a student may fail miserably. Focus and attention skills also facilitate good conversation between people. Focus and attention skills are crucial in ensuring that an individual can manage himself. Good focus and attention skills also enable an individual to build on inquiry skills. A large majority of academic tests ask students for answers from their past studies. If they were not attentive enough, they tend to fail those tests (Cardillo 2009, p.24).

Based on the self-assessment findings, feedback from peers and my tutor, I have discovered that I have a problem in maintaining attention. From my self-assessment finding, I found out that I failed in subjects which required extensive attention. I have also received complaints from my tutor indicating that I am not attentive enough during class time. Additionally, I have been having a difficult time trying to maintain a conversation with my peers. Most people have complained that I do not give them the attention needed.

There is no contradiction regarding my view on focus and attention skills. Although I have been trying hard to improve on this challenge, I have not reached the required level. During conversations, I sometimes drift away and leave other people to continue with their discussion. The perspective of others regarding my attention skills, therefore, matches with my viewpoint. However, with time, I believe that I will improve my focus and attention skills.

Good focus and attention skills are important in building a relationship, career attainment, peace of mind, deep insight and high test score (Heldman 2013, p. 34). The skills will help me in developing my critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Listening to what my tutor will reduce the continuous emphasis on a point. This means that I will understand more easily and improve my scores and my participation in class. I also believe that good focus and attention skills will help in strengthening the relationship with my peers.

Negotiation

Negotiation is my core skills to develop. Negotiation entails the technique if settling people's differences. My negotiation skills involve active, the establishment of relationships, speaking effectively and the ability to make a decision. I have focused on building powerful negotiation skills and become a better conflict resolution agent. Though I am not competent in solving disputes, I study extensively to understand the aspects needed to become an effective problem solver.

Negotiation is crucial in settling disagreements. Negotiation involves listening closely and collaborating to create value. Negotiation also entails making compromises when necessary. I chose negotiation skills because of its significance in solving differences. Negotiation is also important in building relationships that can last longer. Good negotiation skills create a stronger bond between students and teachers as well as the institution management (Cardillo 2009, p. 42).

I am currently not perfect in negotiation skills. Using the self-assessment findings and feedback from my peers, I have found that the rating is below the recommended level. I have also sought feedback from my tutor who has suggested that I need to improve my negotiation skills.

There is no contradiction between what I see of this skill and how others perceive my competence. Most of my peers have sought my advice regarding how to end their conflict. Eventually, I have seen that the solution I recommended to them fails to work. The response from my peers has created an understanding that people's skills matter during negotiation. I have embraced their perspective and believe that it will be crucial in having similar views about negotiation.

Negotiation skills are crucial in understanding when to walk away from a conflict. The skill will also help in making fair decisions. Negotiation is all about making the parties understand the other's needs and appreciate their stand (Heldman 2013, p. 60). In the future, I plan to perfect my negotiation skills so that I can make rational decisions when solving a conflict.

Time Management

Time management is my core skill to develop. Time management skill entails organizing and planning how to divide individual time between precise activities. I have tried over time to become an efficient time manager. By using time management techniques, I always improve my ability to function more effectively. I have tried to develop my time management skills through meeting deadlines, ensuring management of study time, provision of quality assignments and reduced levels of stress. I have learned that spending little time learning about time management will have extensive benefits now and the future.

Good time management enables a person to work smarter and not harder. This means that more work is done in less time, even when the time is limited, and pressure is high. Good time management necessitates a crucial shift in focus from activities to outcomes. I chose this skill to highlight its significance in daily life (Cardillo 2009, p. 46). Time management facilitates greater productivity and efficiency; less stress; a better professional reputation; greater opportunities to attain crucial life and career objectives and increase prospects of progress.

I possess good time management skills which I have demonstrated throughout my studies. I believe that at times as a student, I am overwhelmed by the class workload. But with my time management skills, I have overcome those challenges. Time management skills have enabled me to handle class work and engage with my peers by planning which assignments to be undertaken first and the ones that can be done later. I have also received praise from my peers who indicate that I am a better time manager than them.

There exists no contradiction whatsoever between how I see myself and how others see me. I normally see myself as a good time manager and always stick to my set deadlines. There are numerous instances where my peers have tried to copy my style of time management. I am always on time in class and complete my assignments within the set deadlines. My peers have already attempted to seek advice from me on how to manage their time. This shows that we do not contradict on how they observe my time management skills.

I believe that time management is crucial for career's success. Good time management permits an individual to achieve more outcomes in a shorter period. This is important in a career where lateness is unheard of. Good time management lowers career stress and increases focus.

Researching and Information Finding

I have a wide range of skills in researching and finding information from the internet and the library. I have tried over time to develop my research and information finding skills and achieved competence. These skills require an evaluation of the outcome in terms of accuracy, currency, authority, relevance, and purpose. Developing research and information finding skills and techniques takes time and practice, but the internet and the library offer support to an individual in various ways. There are resources in the form of subject guides, drop-ins and appointments in the case of librarians to ensure that support for learning and research is attained.

Conducting research in the library and on the internet can prove to be essential in one's studies. With effective researching and information finding skills, a scholar can organize and manage information accordingly. I choose this skill because it helps in my definition of information needed. I am also able to create an effective search and identify a suitable discovery tool. Research and information finding skills are techniques important during the studies and for a lifetime (Thomas and Mohan 2007, p. 68). I chose this skill because I understand that basic search skills can help me in creating a successful search using the common search operators to widen the scope of my research.

I am competent in research and finding information both in the library and on the internet. I normally assess my competence through feedback from peers, self-assessment findings and my tutor. I have realized that most of my peers seek my advice on how to research and find information online. My advice proves important as they provide positive feedback after their success in finding the information they needed. I also conduct my self-assessments findings to evaluate my competence. I normally find that I am skilled in attaining any form of information from the internet and the library.

Most of my classmates find the step of the research process difficult. The students fail to understand that during research, it is important to break it into manageable parts. However, to a certain extent, I believe there is a match between my peers and my skillset. With time, I have realized that my peers have attained my level of competence in searching for information and believe that this is the best way to maximize one's skills.

I am optimistic that this skill will progress my competence in my future career. Research and information finding is important in identifying the information needed, for effective searching and assessing information as well as referencing and ethical use of information. The skill is also crucial in understanding research techniques, writing a literature review and writing a research proposal.

Summary and Action Plan

Strengths

After careful analysis of the journal entries, I have realized that I have good researching and information finding skills. These skills have enabled me to find information from the internet and the library. I am accurate in searching for and acquiring the information I need from any source. Even my peers appear to notice that I am competent in research; most of my peers seek my help in identifying suitable sources to undertake their assignments.

I am also good at time management. I can organize and plan my schedule to ensure I am not late for any task. I have a well-set timetable that guides me when to study and meet my peers. My time management skill is mostly illustrated in class. I complete my assignments early and then study ahead to ensure that I know what will be taught during the next lesson. My time management skills have enabled me to reduce class workload and study for tests.

Weaknesses

After an analysis of my journal entries, I have realized that I have weaknesses in focus and attention skills. I have realized that my inability to be attentive in class is leading to low test scores. In addition, my relationship with peers is deteriorating because they think that I am ignorant. I am relatively unable to concentrate on anything that I do. The feedback from my peers and tutor suggest that I have a weakness in listening and talking during a discuss...