SMART Methodology - Personal Statement Example

R.Preeti 29/5/2009 ACTION PLAN INTRODUCTION An individual if often judged on the basis of one's appearance. By this, I do not mean looks, but one's approach, personality and communication----verbal and non-verbal. Hence, in my opinion, it is very important to interact well and carry oneself well. As I have outlined in my first assignment, my interaction in a group environment has been characterized by immense learning. However, I have identified areas that require my attention. Since I hail from a culture where people are generally shy and not too open, I tend to take time and effort to open up. In addition to this, since English is my second language, I am shy when it comes to interaction. Hence, I have outlined three important aspects I would like to work on. I would like to be more open and receptive to ideas, I definitely want to emerge out of the comfort zone and interact more freely; and I also want to learn to build my trust in people. In addition to this, I would also like to become a more involved team-player and develop leadership skills in order to help steer my team towards a goal. In this paper, I would be developing an Action Plan, based on the SMART Methodology, to overcome these problems and achieve the envisaged goals. ACTION PLAN My action plan would be chalked out in terms of the various stages involved in the process of attaining the envisaged goal. The following is the step-wise procedure towards achieving the goals: Areas of Concern: It is very important to outline the areas that require improvement, in order to chalk out the action plan. My biggest short-comings are, my inability to open up and talk without feeling shy or intimidated. Once I achieve this goal, I would want to look at becoming a team-player, communicating effectively and acquiring leadership skills. Hence, these are the problems I would like to address and work on improvising, in my Action Plan. Addressing the Areas of Concern: An action plan, based on the SMART methodology is based on the following aspects: It is Specific in nature, Measurable in terms of time-frame and effectiveness, Achievable, Relevant to the areas of concern and finally, Trackable. The following action plan is based on these pointers: In order to open up and become less shy, I would firstly start identifying my feelings and what I would really like to communicate, Unless I am clear about this, I cannot communicate the same with the others. Upon understanding this, I must write it down. This will help train my flow of thought and help me express myself better. The writing can be formal or informal, based on the kind of emotions and the kind of interaction I would like to have. In a formal atmosphere, I would definitely like to express myself in a formal tone, without delving into informal aspects. This process is specific, because it is directly aimed at procuring a particular result that I have set. The time-frame set for this is at least a continuous cycle of fifteen days. Rigourous pursuit in this direction, would ensure that I am able to express myself clearly and in entirety. In the process of developing my ability to express myself, I would start interacting with people slowly. Every person has a comfort group. I would firstly open up with people that I am comfortable with. Their encouragement would give me the requisite confidence in taking my pursuit further. In addition to this,I would also work on improving my communication skills in English, in particular. This would help me overcome my low confidence, when I speak much better. The time frame for this, while coinciding with the writing-exercise would be about 20 days. On the whole, both the plans would extend up to a month. While this does seem like a sizeable time-frame, developing one's confidence, and learning to open up and express oneself is something to do with one's inner-understanding and confidence-building, rather than simply a skill. Hence, practice and constant reiteration would go a long way in helping me out. My next goal would be, to look at becoming an effective team-player. This is a blend of both, inner confidence-building, as well as, skill. Once I am comfortable expressing myself, I can initiate interaction with my team-members. Slowly yet steadily, I aim at improving my communication. Once I acquire this strength, becoming a team-player is a matter of time. Apart from excellent communication and open channels, a good team-player is one who puts in efforts to improve the performance of the entire team and one who pitches in, in times of normalcy and more so, during crisis. Hence, I would aim at coming up with innovation, pitching in with ideas, efforts and initiating things. This would definitely work in the best interest of my team, rather than simply focusing on individual glory. The time-frame for this, cannot really be drawn-up, since it is dependent upon opportunities and chances. However, a fortnight would certainly see great improvement and involvement from my end, in becoming a good team-player. I would firstly, interact well, relying on communicating openly and clearly. I would understand what the common goal of the team is, and then channelize my individual efforts towards integration with that of the entire group's. This way, a correspondence is acquired. I would then streamline all my efforts in that direction, in order to pitch in for my team. Finally, I would come up with a little more than what is expected of a good tram-player. I would come up with innovation and showcase my creativity and ability to lead. Finally, my aim is to become a good leader. For this, I must graduate from being a mere team-player, to something more. Therefore, it is important to think a little beyond the conventional activities that characterize my team-related work. I would come up with innovative concepts, take up responsibilities slowly and steadily, help my team-members with problems they face et al. More importantly, I would also come up with a common goal for the team. Influencing my team-members in a positive way and helping them work in camaraderie and cooperation towards a specific goal, encouraging and motivating the team, helping team-members overcome issues, problems, failures et al, all go into the making of a good team leader. These are the qualities I aim at procuring. Here again, the plan is to graduate from being a normal team-player to a leader. The time frame, would definitely be dependent on the opportunities that come along. However, a month's time is a good time-frame wherein one can start putting in inputs and procure results towards that end. The reason my Action Plan is a practical one, is because it is SMART. It makes use of this formula: Specific: The plan is uni-directional and specific to what I have set as a goal. Hence, all efforts are spent in one direction, towards a specific goal. There is no ambiguity in terms of what is goal is, or could be. It is simple, straight-forward and strong. Measurable: The plan is a practically viable one, since it is measureable in terms of the time-frame. At each stage, I have set a tentative time-frame, though it is again dependent upon my ability to turn a normal moment into opportunity or make use of the opportunities that come along my way. Achievable: My action plan is achievable, because it is through a slow, evolutionary process. It is not a over-night plan, but one that is very considerate about the skills and the corresponding time-frame, while it is also one that is optimally timed. Relevant: My plan is extremely relevant to my difficulties and is directed towards over-coming them. Hence, relevance of my efforts, to the goal envisaged, is the key here. Every effort of mine is channelized towards achieving the goal envisaged. Trackable: Ultimately, my plan is trackable. One can measure the performance before the commencement of the Action Plan and the completion of the same. This can be done, by recording earlier communication and then, comparing it with the performance after the completion of the plan. Thus, once can see the difference. REFERENCE: The word documents attached. Read More