How To Learn To Manage Yourself

Most people think they know what they are good at. Sadly, that is furthest from the truth.

Our opinions can sometimes steer us in the wrong direction in life. 

It steered me in the wrong direction. 

Throughout my undergrad studies, I often had the mindset of getting into the medical field and studying biological sciences. 

At Emory University, I majored in Neuroscience Behavioral Biology.

At Rutgers University, I majored in Biology.

Naturally, I thought it was one of my strengths because I just believed it was.

In both cases at different schools, I took a heavy dose of science courses. Regardless of my efforts, I would still manage B’s in almost all my science courses even after putting more hours into studying than usual. 

I also felt my curiosity towards this field wane. 

Naturally, I’m not one to give up easily. But sometimes, it’s not about giving up. It’s about opportunity cost. Stubbornness can often backfire on us with time usually being sacrificed.

I eventually switched majors and went on to study psychology. Oddly enough, pretty much all my grades were A’s, effortlessly. 

And yes, the curiosity factor in psychology was always there. 

Despite the obvious signs, I went into the healthcare field with the intent of continuing in a career that focused heavily in biology after graduating. My stubbornness would not let go! I wanted to see if this field was truly for me.

I made strong patient relationships, met interesting co-workers and I worked my tail off.

However, it wasn’t for me. It wasn't my strength.

Needless to say, if I just performed this one thing my career picture could have been much clearer to me from the beginning.

If I just performed a feedback analysis throughout my studies, work and even life, the signs would have been so much clearer.

And part of performing a feedback analysis is knowing your strengths. Knowing your strengths is part of learning to manage yourself. 

The truth is, one can only perform and build off strength. 

The importance of this struggle is often seen in most young people in college and even after graduating. Most don't know their strengths and feel lost because they cannot build on what they do not know.

And as a result the question of “What should I do with my life” often arises. 

This wasn’t a problem in the past. 

Why? 

Peter Drucker explains that most people were usually born into a position and work, where one usually followed the path of a parent.

However, in today’s world this isn’t the case.

People have choices. 

So do yourself a favor and gain some clarity in any aspect of your life by performing a feedback analysis.

Follow these 3 key steps to maximize managing yourself:

      1.      Put yourself where your strengths can produce results

      2.      Work on improving your strengths, not weaknesses.

      3.       Discover where your intellectual arrogance is causing disabling ignorance. 

It’s important to note that this is much bigger than a struggle in figuring out what your major at school is. It can relate to what type of business you want to start. It can relate to what type of partner you seek out in a relationship. It even relates to what makes you happy in life. 

Don’t rely on what you think you know. 

Learn to manage yourself.

My name is Romario Villanueva.  Entrepreneur & blogger. I'm a graduate from Rutgers University with several certifications from top schools through Coursera. I love all things business, psychology, and basketball. Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter or LinkedIn