Reflective Journal: Assessing Core Skills and Professional Development

This reflective journal entry analyzes three core skills: time management, focus and concentration, and negotiation. The student assesses their competence in each skill, providing self-evaluations, identifying areas for improvement, and considering how these skills will contribute to future professional success. The analysis includes insights from various viewpoints, self-assessment tests and feedback from peers and colleagues. The student reflects on contradictions between self-perception and external feedback, and the journal explores the importance of these skills in various contexts, such as managing tasks, enhancing focus, and achieving agreements in professional settings. The student also identifies strategies for improvement and discusses how these skills will be applied in future professional scenarios, such as working in an organization and negotiating deals.

UNDERSTANDING
YOUSELF AND OTHERS

REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA
What is the core skill?
According to the view point of Turner, (2014) Time management is one of the crucial
factor in order to gain better results and outcomes. With the help of time management one
can improve their skills and abilities of working under pressure. Time management is my
core skill as whatever activities are provided to me I try to accomplish the same under
limited time frame. For this, I set short term goals that keeps me motivated after
completion. Along with this, it assists me in having control over time in order to do a
work effectively.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on?
Time management is important to be maintained because with the help of this more work
can be accomplished with less effort which can further enhance the capability of
focussing on more activities in a better manner. I selected this skill because I believe that I
am good in this and to improve it more I should concentrate on the same to become more
successful while doing any kind of job in coming future. Other than this, an effective time
management always improve the skills of decision making because I can eliminate
pressure of having less time. Further I used Pickle Jar Theory for making my time
management skill more appropriate and effective as this helped me in selecting things that
are useful to do and others which are not.
Reflect on your current competent regarding this skill. How did you assess your
competence?
In terms of competent for the skill I have i.e. time management I score myself 6.5 out of
10. Thus, in order to assess my skills and competence I took feedbacks, attempted self
assessment tests, etc., Although, according to me I am good in this but after evaluating my
skill I got to know that on some factors I need to work more in order to improve the same
and for getting effective outcomes. For example: Reducing stress, self-discipline which is
valuable in this working environment. Therefore, considering all these activities if I will
improve the same than I can be more successful in performing my future activities.
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?

Yes, I do got a contradiction after analysing all the points mentioned above regarding my
time management skills. For me time management skill was quite appropriate and one of
my essential skill but with the help of reviews and feedbacks I got from my friends,
colleagues and tutor I analyse that in some situations I lagged behind. For example: I
thought my planning for a specific period of time is good as compared to others but in
some circumstances I don't think for the consequences that can affect in long term
processing which can hamper my activities.
How will this skill help me in the future?
Whatever skills are being acquired by an individual it helps them in doing their future
activities in an effective manner. Time management skill is one of the crucial and
beneficial factor which can assist me performing my future action. For example: while
working in an organisation time management will help me out in making segments for the
entire task so that it can be accomplished in a better way. For instance: superiors allotted
me with a task of increasing sales and productivity. Therefore, time management skill will
help me in performing the activity part by part so that it can be accomplished effectively.
What is the core skill?
As per the view point of Bergler-Klein, Gyöngyösi and Maurer, (2014) in order to do a
task focus and concentration is one of the crucial factor that helps in strengthening a
person's attention. Thus, from studies it has been understood that an individual who has
the ability of performing task with full attention and focus are likely to perform in a
better manner as compared to person who are not good in this. In relation to this I am
above average and it helps me in stimulating targets in a better way. Other than this, it
aid me in analysing the different ways of performing an activity in a better manner.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on?
Focus and concentration is important for a person for managing things and activities
because this can provide a better way of doing an action. Thus, it can be said that focus
and concentration is crucial because it provides a gateway of thinking activities in a
different way such as problem solving, memory, learning etc., Therefore, in context with
focus and concentration skill I am average in this and needs to be developed because in

some situations I get frustrated that puts an impact on my concentration level. I am
working on this and in order to enhance it I am taking classes and doing other activities
as well.
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?
In relation with identifying any contradiction from the analysis which is done above I
have evaluated that there is no contradiction as all my friends and other people agree
with the fact that I have effective negotiation skills and people can get easily influenced
by my talks and thoughts. But apart from this they also said that I can be a good
negotiator and for this it is crucial that I have proper knowledge related to government
norms and regulations. As a result, it will assist me in providing better solutions for a
given problem.
Reflect on your current competent regarding this skill. How did you assess your
competence?
In regards with competence related to focus and concentration I scored myself 5 out of
10 which means I want to work more on this skills so that it can be developed and better
outcomes can be gained. I got the information regrading this from my friends and
colleagues and they said that I do work with focus and attentions but there are some
factors that can which act as a barrier while performing my activities. For example: to
much time taken while doing a difficult task, ultimately breaks the concentration that I
have. This puts me in a stage I feel like dropping the task and do some other work.
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?
In relation with contradiction I have analysed that not in all aspects I loose my
concentration and focus it is in extreme cases when I don't able to understand things in
order to perform the same in an effective manner. This I have to looked after so that I can
quickly detect relevant stimuli so as to do the work in a better way without any problem
and complications. Other than this, to develop my ability of focus and concentration I
have to enhance my three factors which are personal factor, environment factors and
stimulus factor. As a result, it will aid me doing my activities in effectively.

How will this skill help me in the future?
Focus and attention is an important aspect which are to be looked after by an individual
because this can assist them in performing their future activities. For instance: if I am
working in an organisation that manufactures auto-mobile parts than for this it is required
that I am more conscious related to my task and action that are need to be executed so
that chance of mistakes can be avoided because these parts will be fixed in cars where
safety of customers is more concern.
What is the core skill?
According to the viewpoint of Winham, (2014) it can be understood that negotiation is a
method through which two or more people are confined in an agreement on the basis of
things in which both can be agreed. Therefore, negotiation skill is a process of give and
take which is done between two or more people. I am good in negotiation skills which
further assist me in getting possible outcomes and results in an effective manner without
any complications. There are many situations in which negotiation is included and these
are legal system, international affairs, government policies etc.,
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on?
This is an important skills which must be incorporated by a person because it provides a
long term benefits such as making an individual agree for an activities by considering
some of the factors according to them. I selected this skill because negotiation is required
in every aspect of life whether locking a deal, or to create a win-win situation. Other than
this, negotiation skill builds respect in the minds of other person as we consider some of
the points so that better outcomes and benefits can be gained. Apart from this, better
negotiation skill will help me in identifying the situation when I can walk off from any
kind of situation if in future it will not provide any positive outcomes.
Reflect on your current competent regarding this skill. How did you assess your
competence?
In terms of my current competent in relation with negotiation skills I score myself 7 out
of 10 which is appropriate according to me. I got to know about this, through my peers,
tutors, persons with whom I am working currently etc., Other than this, for evaluating my

skills I conducted different tests and participated in different activities such as meetings,
expressing my point of view in public forum etc., Although, I am quite good in this but to
make this perfect I need to work more on this. Apart from this, with the help of my
maintained data and information and past academic reports I go to know about the
competence of this skills.
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?
In relation with identifying any contradiction from the analysis which is done above I
have evaluated that there is no contradiction as all my friends and other people agree with
the fact that I have effective negotiation skills and people can get easily influenced by my
talks and thoughts. But apart form this they also said that I can be a good negotiator and
for this it is crucial that I have proper knowledge related to government norms and
regulations. As a result, it will assist me in providing better solutions for a given problem.
How will this skill help me in the future?
Negotiation is a skill that is required in every aspect of life because there might be a
possibility that an individual come across to different situations when they have to take
certain decisions. This skill is helpful in future because it will help me in reaching
towards agreements so that aims and objectives can be achieved. Along with this, while
working in a corporate company in future becoming a great negotiator will assist me in
avoiding conflicts so that better relationship can be maintained and disputes can be
avoided.

What is the core skill?
As per the viewpoint of Galegher, Kraut and Egido, (2014) in order to perform a task in
an effective manner team work is one of the crucial factor because this not only enable
team in obtaining better outcomes but also helps an individual in maintaining a better
relation with one another. I am good in performing task in a team and managing the
same. While doing a work I first determine skills and knowledge acquired by an
individual so that accordingly task can be managed. Therefore, it can be said that I am
good in team management and further assist me executing work in an effective manner.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use
relevant theories and concepts to support your answer)
In every organisation team work plays a crucial role in obtaining objectives and targets in
a limited time frame. It is an important aspect because it promotes unity within the
workplace. Team work helps me interacting with different people working for the same
goals this not only improves inter-relationship amongst others but also improves existing
knowledge. Therefore, team work according to me provides a great learning opportunity
to a person and an individual. For example: a team is assigned with a task thus, it is
important that an effective team is there who can work in collaboration for achieving a
set goals and objectives in a given period of time.
Reflect on your current competent regarding this skill. How did you assess your
competence?
In relation with competence related with team work I score myself 7 out of 10 which is
appropriate and helpful in underlying the positive factors from the same. In order to asses
my competence I took feedbacks and reviews from my friends, relatives and people who
are working with me. Furthermore, I took test so as to know whether I am compilable in
performing a task in a team. Therefore, with the help of this I got to know more about
sectors where I need to work more in order to make it perfect.
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?

In this I didn't find any kind of contradiction as according to the view points of people I
know they agree with the fact that I good in team work and I do job more effectively
when I am in a team. Thus, it can be said that my viewpoints and others matches. For
instance: according to them my intellectual and thinking capability increases while doing
any kind of work.
How will this skill help me in the future?
Team work is applicable in day to day life activities furthermore, in context with future,
while working in a corporate world this will aid me in working in a team in
collaboration. Other than this, it will assist e in providing better solutions for the any
consequences because of the improved knowledge and skills.
Analysis
From the above report analysed it can be evaluated and analysed that there are certain
skills that are acquired by an individual so that task can be performed in an effective manner.
According to the above skills mentioned I have realised that in some skills I am very good
and in some I lagged behind and this have to be developed by me so that better results can be
gained. For instance: my skill of time management, for which I scored 6.5 out of 10. as
compared to earlier time I have improved a little bit as I am now comfortable in managing
activities and completing them right on time. But further I need to work more on this so as to
improve the same in an effective manner. For example: I joined time management classes so
that existing skills can be improved. But in terms of my strengths my negotiation skills is
very good for which I have scored 8 out of 10. This also required to be improved so that I can
take better decisions while executing any kind of work. Later, in terms of weakness I have to
work on focus and concentration skills as I have some issues in having more concentration in
my work. I have to think of external factors which can influence or distract me while
performing my task in an effective manner.
Action Plan
Learning objective Current proficiency Target proficiency Activities to be
perform to achieve
the set target/

objective
Focus and
Concentration
In regards to this my
current proficiency
according to me is
average which is 5
out of 10. Therefore, I
need to develop this
skill so that better
outcomes can be
gained.
My target is
improving this skill
even more so that I
can perform the
activities more
precisely. So, that I
can get to 8 out of 10.
In order to enhance
the same I will do
meditation and yoga
which will further aid
me in increasing my
focus and attention
level.
Time Management Time management is
one of the crucial
activity that must be
there is in an
individual so that
activities can be done
right on time. In
terms of my
proficiency I scored
6.5 out of 10 which is
above average but not
so good as well.
I have to work on this
and achieve my target
of getting at least
close to 8 out of 10 so
that I can become
more eligible of
taking effective
decision in order to
perform the task
effectively.
For this, I am taking
time management
classes and even
participating in
different activities so
that I can know how
much I am improving
and what all sectors in
which I have to
improve more.
Team Work In relation with
competence I have
scored myself 7 out
of 10 which show that
I am good in this but I
have to work even
more in order to make
the same perfect.
I have a target
proficiency of
enhancing team work
capability more and
reached to 9 out of
10.
In order to increase
my capability and for
achieving the targets I
am more likely to
participate in group
work so that I can
have more
interactions with
other individual and
existing skills can be
developed.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Turner, J. R., 2014. Handbook of project-based management(Vol. 92). New York, NY:
McGraw-hill.
Bergler-Klein, J., Gyöngyösi, M. and Maurer, G., 2014. The role of biomarkers in valvular
heart disease: focus on natriuretic peptides. Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 30(9),
pp.1027-1034.
Galegher, J., Kraut, R.E. and Egido, C. eds., 2014. Intellectual teamwork: Social and
technological foundations of cooperative work. Psychology Press.
Winham, G. R., 2014. International trade and the Tokyo Round negotiation (Vol. 463).
Princeton University Press.