Importance of Four Core Skills

This report discusses the importance of four core skills - time-management, focus and attention, written communication, and teamwork. It highlights how these skills contribute to developing an individual's personality in personal life and aid in achieving their goals. The report also mentions the strengths and weaknesses of each skill and provides references for further reading.

Reflection and personal
development report and
plan

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The study will cover reflective on personal development of an individual from the
experience of their learning and activities. In this report, mainly four skills are taken time-
management, teamwork, writing communication, focus and attention. There will be discuss on
core skills and importance of its will be covered (Reynolds2017). Therefore, this summary will
discuss individual development is not limited to evolution of one self only involve informal and
formal activity's. This report will identify strengths and weaknesses of the four core skill.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
1. Reflective personal development plan journal...............................................................1
2. Summary and action plan................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Personal development is defined as set of action undertaken by act in for the function of
different identity and self-knowledge. Therefore, thought of individual process does not constrict
to development of individual and this consider informal and formal activities and means to create
another. In this study, mainly four core skill will be discussed, focus and attention, time
management, team work and written communication in detail (Klockenkämper and Von Bohlen,
2014). This report covers all the aspects of those four skills. In addition to the report, strengths
and weakness of four core skills will be discussing.
1. Reflective personal development plan journal.
Appendix A: REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA
FOCUS AND ATTENTION
What is the core skill to develop?
Focus and attention can state the ability of brain to concentrate its attention over work which is
in front of an individual and can perform activity without any disturbance. Therefore, it’s very
important to have focus and attention while working. Focus and attention can be developed by
preparing brain for work which is given to them. For this an individual should calm their brain
first. Secondly, understand where that person need to focus is necessary to realize where to
divert the attention. For example: an individual can pay more attention to work which is of
his/her interest.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use relevant
theories and concepts to support your answer)
I can say that focus and attention is an important power because lack of this ability can make an
individual do less work and can demotivate them at work place. Bottleneck concept advise that
an individual has a constricted amount of tending resources which are applied one at a time. For
example: Imagine big bottle occupied with sand that is rotated upside down and bottleneck
controlled sand to flow (Waterman, 2014.). Therefore, it can come out slowly instead of all
coming out at once. Similarly, an individual focus on the part which is required at that time. I
selected this skill because without focus, an individual cannot achieve its goals.
Reflect on your current competent regarding this skill. How did you assess your
competence? (use your self-assessment findings, feedback from peers and your tutor, plus
1

your own reflections on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to answer this question)
I can say by leaning attention and focus is required in every activity we perform in our daily
routine. Therefore, I have assessed competence by understanding my work properly and listing
to my mentor. Focusing on whatever work is assigned to me by understanding and paying
attention to it. Also, this helped me to complete my work on time. Without focus, it not possible
for an individual to accomplished their task.
Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above? For example, is there a
match between how you see yourself and how others see you, or not?
I can pay much attention on the work given to me and complete it on time. Thus, it can help
others also in their work. In contradiction to this, my colleague stated that I need more focus
and to work hard in order to achieve focus and attention (Tattum and Tattum, 2017). Therefore,
I am trying to improve my skills by working hard on it and paying more attention on my work.
Thus, I can improve by keeping my mind calm and understand the motive behind work. This
will enhance my performance and bring quality in work.
How might this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
I think this ability will assist me to bring improvement in my way of working and in the future,
I can focus more effectively on my work. This can enhance my way of working. For example:
If I focus and pay more attention to my work than, I can get appreciation for the good
performance. Therefore, I can get success in future and can achieve goals. So it’s very
important to adopt this skill.
TIME MANAGEMENT
What is the core skill to develop?
Time management means the operation of planning and organisation how much time period
an individual spend on working and how much time they should take to complete work. So
that they can save time for future (Maxwell and et.al., 2015). This skill can be developed by
setting goals the right way and on time. For example: If an individual does not have proper
goals then his/her will not be able to complete their work on time and will lack confidence.
This skill can also be developed by eliminating bad habits. By not wasting the time which is
required to achieve big goals.
2

Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use relevant
theories and concepts to support your answer)
I think this ability should be developed in every one so that an individual can complete their
work on time. Maslow's theory is one of the example of time management. This theory doesn't
specify time period required to achieve basic needs and after identifying all needs. An
individual can set specified time during which can be fulfilled by them. I selected this skill
because time management is very important so that all work can be completed on proper time
and can do more work in the future. By this skill, I can bring more discipline in my life.
Reflect on your current competent regarding this skill. How did you assess your
competence? (use your self-assessment findings, feedback from peers and your tutor,
plus your own reflections on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to answer this
question)
I have seen that by managing work time can be completed faster and it becomes easy for us to
achieve the object. By the way of working on time, I have assessed competence because it
helps me to complete task on time without any problem. This skill is developed by making
proper plan and executing when required. Therefore, for this time wasting should not be there
and hard work is done. The work which is important that should be considered first. I have
made proper time table for it.
Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above? For example, is there a
match between how you see yourself and how others see you, or not?
I have learned that management is the key to success and I know how to manage the time
properly and complete my work on time. Contradiction to the statement, my boss stated that
work given to me is never completed on time and I have to learn more about time
management. For this, I have made time table for myself so that I can improve my time
management skills. Therefore, can work more effectively and efficiently to achieve goals. This
skill motivates me to work hard and complete the task.
How might this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
I think this ability is very beneficial in upcoming days as time management is really not about
managing time. It is something which deal with activities and behaviour to make the most
productive use of time. Therefore, this can help me to work properly on time and fulfil my
3

requirement is daily basic (Dale Marshall, 2014.). I can do multi-tasking by maintaining time
management and this will enhance my future skills. Also, it will develop more confident in me
and help me to achieve goals.
TEAM WORK
What is the core skill to develop?
Team work can be has cooperative attempt for the group to accomplish the objective or to
completed the task in most efficient and effective way. By working in team, an individual can
develop quality of coordination and cooperation with everyone in the organisation. This skill
should be developed in every individual. Therefore, this skill can be developed by
communicating with the team work at regular interval. Including every team member in the
plan of action. By maintaining good working relation with everyone in the company. This will
lead to good teamwork.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use relevant
theories and concepts to support your answer)
I think teamwork is very essential tool of each organisation and this skill helps in achieving
individual as well company’s goals (Castillod,2016.). Therefore, individual can get more
innovative idea by working in team and they develop feeling of togetherness in themselves. I
selected this skill as reflection because teamwork gives an individual power to deal with any
situation which come in front of them. One of the theory of teamwork is star team model. It
helps team to decide where actual team need to focus more. I think for good teamwork; leader
should allow flow of ideas of individual in the team.
Reflect on your current competent regarding this skill. How did you assess your
competence? (use your self-assessment findings, feedback from peers and your tutor,
plus your own reflections on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to answer this
question)
I have seen that organisation which have good teamwork that company can achieve their goal
and objective more easily (Snow,2017.). Therefore, I have developed this skill from my
organisation where everyone works as a whole team to accomplish the task of the company. I
feel that working in team improve the effectiveness and efficiency of an individual. Also,
helps the organisation to achieve their goals fast. I have assessed competence by working in
4

team with my colleague and learning different skills from each other. This made my team
stronger and help organisation to grow.
Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above? For example, is there a
match between how you see yourself and how others see you, or not?
I am great at working in team and coordinate well with my co-workers in every situation. This
helps me to maintain good relation with the organisation. But in contradiction to my point of
view, the leader of team stated that I am not good at coordinating with other employee and
need to bring improvement in it. I will try to communicate more with my colleagues so that I
can coordinate in better way with them. Therefore, I’ll try to enhance my skills and work in
effective and efficient manner.
How might this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
This ability is very useful for me as by this, I can understand people more and it will help me
to coordinate with them in future task. Therefore, teamwork build trust between members of
team and by way working with colleagues become easier. Working in team is very important
in every organisation (Dave Sloan, 2017.). This will help me to achieve my personal goal and
organisational goals, as well.
WRITING COMMUNICATION
What is the core skill to develop?
Writing communicate can be defined as any type of message that makes use of writing words.
This includes grammar, spelling and punctuation. The person will form an opinion on the
basis of writing skills. This skill can be developed by writing short sentences and
understanding the meaning properly (Byrnes and Manchón, 2014). Reading more books and
getting idea about how to write more clearly. It’s important to complete the sentences in fewer
words and in easy language. For communicating message easily it’s necessary to develop this
skill. Development of this skill can help individual in communicating to people more easily.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use relevant
theories and concepts to support your answer)
I have learned that by writing we can effectively communicate our ideas to others in the
organisation. In any meeting we can make notes and understand it later with good writing
skills. I think by having good writing communication skill, an individual can make a positive
5

impact on others. I selected this skill because this is required in every step at workplace and is
a written prove of your working. This skill helped me to build good relationships by
conveying messages. This concept helps people to make speeches and convey their messages
by writing.
Reflect on your current competent regarding this skill. How did you assess your
competence? (use your self-assessment findings, feedback from peers and your tutor,
plus your own reflections on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to answer this
question)
I can convey my message in more effective way to many people and maintain good relation
with them. This will help me to build trust among the co-workers and with the organisation.
Therefore, I feel more confident while communicating with people and give more innovative
ideas to others (Castillod, 2016). Thus, by developing this skill I have assessed competence in
achieving goals and objectives. Writing communication has increased my knowledge about
grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above? For example, is there a
match between how you see yourself and how others see you, or not?
My writing communication is very good and effective in my point of view and I can write
clear words and through my skills, I can make other people understand more easily.
Contradiction stated by colleagues that I am slow in writing communication and not clear in
grammar. Therefore, I need to bring improvement in it and require developing the speed in
writing. I will work hard to develop my skill so that I can do more activity in less time. This
can enhance my ability of writing communication.
How might this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
Writing communication helps me to get more success in the future. This will develop critical
thinking skill in me. Thus, I can take decision related to work more confidently and convey
my message faster in the future. This will help me to maintain long term relation with the
employees and build trust. Also, it will enhance my research power to collect more
information for the organisation (Elaine, 2017.). I can work in more effective way for myself
and help me to achieve goals. This can lead to success in future to me and to my organisation.
6

2. Summary and action plan
All the four skills are very important for the development of an individual but there are some
strengths and weaknesses of each skill (Cottrell, S., 2015.). From the above journal entries, they
are as following:
Strengths:
 Attention and focus helps us to interpret various steps necessary for working in our
routine environments and help an individual to identify and find solution to different
problems.
 Time management reduces the stress level of an individual and help them to focus more
on their work. By completing work on time self-confidence is developed within an
individual. Therefore, they can achieve their goals faster.
 Teamwork helps the team to know strengths of individual person which can make work
for organisation easy by distributing workloads and responsibility to all the team
members.
 Writing communication can help to prevent wastage of time and money. This skill is
useful in delegation of authority. Therefore, this helps to verify document and keep the
record of all files.
Weaknesses
 Writing communicate is time consuming process and take the time of writer and reader.
For this skill it’s difficult to maintain secrecy and everything need to be discuss whether
legal or illegal.
 Time management can sometime become more stressful task for an individual. Therefore,
life can become more engaged doing their work and can miss out time for their family
members.
 Sometime focusing on one thing can miss out opportunities for other work. Therefore,
it’s not possible to do multi-tasking all the time.
 In Teamwork mistake of one members in team can create problem for whole unit. More
people in group can rise conflicts among themselves.
Identify three areas of personal development
By focus and attention in work place, this also bring focus in personal life of an individual
and help in the development of personality. Person become more active in doing work and it
7

becomes easy for them to find solution. Time management can also be adopted in development
of personality and create good environment for their family as well. Therefore, it helps an
individual to build a daily routine and maintain time-table for themselves (Berkenkotter and
Huckin, 2016.). Therefore, to develop time management, they can't do multi-tasking at the same
time. Even if they will be able to, some feature is bound to be ignored or overlooked such as
quality. Personal development is as important as the process of developing skills. Teamwork has
been shown to have positive effects on respective task performance for jobs requiring a high
level of social interaction and helps to develop good relation to people in society. Emotionally
stability is built in individuals and they feel more confident and less insecure in their personal
life as well. Those skills develop the capacity to handle problems and fine accurate solution to it.
CONCLUSION
From this report, it is concluded that the four core skills time-management, focus and
attention, written communication and teamwork. They help an individual to develop their
personality in personal life. It is concluded that all the skill is important to be developed is an
individual to achieve their goals. This report covers all the aspects of those four skills. In
addition to the report strengths and weakness of the four core skills are also discussed in this
report.
8

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Abdollahipour, R. and et.al., 2015. Performance of gymnastics skill benefits from an external
focus of attention. Journal of sports sciences. 33(17). pp.1807-1813.
Berkenkotter, C. and Huckin, T.N., 2016. Genre knowledge in disciplinary communication:
Cognition/culture/power. Routledge.
Byrnes, H. and Manchón, R.M. eds., 2014. Task-based language learning–Insights from and for
L2 writing. John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Castillod, J.J., 2016. Teamwork in the Automobile Industry: Radical Change or Passing
Fashion?. Springer.
Cottrell, S., 2015. Skills for success: Personal development and employability. Macmillan
International Higher Education.
Klockenkämper, R. and Von Bohlen, A., 2014. Total-reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis and
related methods. John Wiley & Sons.
Maxwell, S.M., and et.al., 2015. Dynamic ocean management: Defining and conceptualizing
real-time management of the ocean. Marine Policy. 58. pp.42-50.
Panek, E., 2014. Left to their own devices: College students’“guilty pleasure” media use and
time management. Communication Research. 41(4). pp.561-577.
Reynolds, M., 2017. Organizing reflection. Routledge.
Snow, C.E., 2017. Issues in the study of input: Finetuning, universality, individual and
developmental differences, and necessary causes. The handbook of child language. pp.179-
193.
Tattum, D. and Tattum, E., 2017. Social education and personal development. Routledge.
9

Waterman, A.S., 2014. An overview of service-learning and the role of research and evaluation
in service-learning programs. In Service-learning. Routledge.
Online
Dale Marshall, 2014. Time Management in the Future. [Online] Available through:
<https://blog.cake.hr/time-management-in-the-future/>.
Dave Sloan, 2017. The Future of Work. [Online] Available through:
<https://blog.bigtalker.io/the-future-of-work-learning-the-most-important-skill-teamwork-
21cd7856a413>.
Elaine J. Dispo, 2017. Good writing skills. [Online] Available through:
<https://classroom.synonym.com/can-good-writing-skills-become-better-student-
11250.html>.
10