Employing Critical Thinking in Professional Life
Professional life is always characterized by many problems that always entail a sober mind to deal with. The immense pressure to perform one’s level best in your profession is made possible through critical and creative thinking (Williams, 2001). One is always faced with difficult decisions to make that are time constrained and are essential to the success of the whole organization. When it comes to professional life, one is entrusted with specific roles that you are expected to carry out successfully. Split second decisions that are correct are what is needed in such a scenario. Through the use of critical and creative thinking, it becomes less difficult to tackle problems that may seem impossible to solve. When faced with difficult decisions and problems to solve, one has just to follow the following simple steps to critical and creative thinking; identification of the problem, analysis of the problem by looking at it from different angles, brainstorming the problem and formulating possible solutions, make a decision on which solution fits the problem best and finally take action.
Etiquette and Professional Success
Aside from being excellent in decision-making and problem-solving, professional success significantly entails how one carries himself while in the professional environment. Etiquette is very crucial in business if one is to have and maintain a good relationship with business associates and co-workers (Ferguson, 2004). The first step to etiquette that is paramount is how one addresses the superiors. Respect is essential while addressing them. Another important thing is listening attentively to viewpoints of even the lowliest paid employees. This is crucial because most of them have the best ideas that mostly go unheard as other employees do not listen to them. Respecting everyone you work with regardless of their position is what yields success according to my experience.
Another important aspect of personal etiquette is being punctual in everything that entails the business organization (Post, 2005). Without punctuality, it becomes tough to achieve the goals that one has set to accomplish over a given period.
Personal SWOT Analysis
Another great way to achieve success in one’s profession is capitalizing on your strengths and trying your level best to work on your weaknesses. When it comes to communication skills, it is my greatest strength. It is very easy for me to communicate with clients and people that I have just met for the first time. On the other hand, my greatest weakness is meeting strict deadlines. Due to a lot of anxiety, it becomes tough to concentrate on the task at hand, and I finally end up not meeting the deadline. To overcome my weaknesses, I use the SWOT analysis so that I can be able to tackle my weaknesses and capitalize on my strengths.
Time Management Strategies
References
Williams, S. W. (2001). Making better business decisions: Understanding and improving critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage Publications.
Ferguson, (2004) Professional ethics and etiquette. New York.
Post, P., Post, P., & Post, E. (2005). Emily Post's The etiquette advantage in business: Personal skills for professional success. New York: Harper Resource.
Tracy, B. (2013). Time management. New York: AMACOM, American Management Association.
