MY SWOT Workbook

You have probably heard about SWOT analysis.When I first head of it I thought it's just way another for my manager to annoy me. But later, after taking a deep breath, I discovered that it was the key I need to be successful in my objectives.When you undertake a task, do you truly understand the objectives?I discovered that I didn't always.It's often the case that our wonderful minds can tune into what we believe is the correct path, only to find that our understanding was slightly skewed?A skewed path will eventually take us miles of track.You can imagine an aircraft setting off with a predefined destination. With an error of only a few degrees in navigation and no correction to its path, that aircraft will get more and more off track as time goes on and it will never reach it's intended destination. SWOT analysis is a proven method to help plan out to to get things done.A personal SWOT analysis will help you to organise your thoughts so that you can focus your energies effectively as you work towards completing your intended goal.Using personal SWOT's in your life can help you in the same powerful way that it helps the Worlds biggest companies to achieve BIG Results.Our minds are like the finest sniper rifles; they both need to be precisely aimed to achieve the best results. This is where the SWOT analysis can help you in your personal or business life.The SWOT analysis asks you to honestly answer four questions about the thing you want to do.What are my Strengths? What are my Weaknesses?What are my Opportunities?What are the Threats?Why, out of all the questions that you could ask about a plan, is SWOT considered to be the important ones? Well, I trust that clever clogs called Albert Humphrey, who was a management consultant, an MIT graduate who also worked at Standford University, knew what he was talking about when he devised the strategy.A SWOT chart may seem overly simple, but it has been proven over time to be a very effective method for planning. Why buy a SWOT workbook.You can find SWOT templates in many places on the internet. Personally, I like to keep my notes in one place, in a book I can keep with me as I travel around and so I can jot my ideas when I get one, and I like to be able to review my thoughts from time to time.Suggestions.Strengths. List your strengths in this matter, for example, previous experience, training, natural talents.Weaknesses.What aspects do you need to improve on for this goal?For instance, I am a terrible speller (I need someone to read my work, for example).What would you naturally avoid doing?Opportunities.What external factors cE.g. Can you get someone to contribute, can you reuse past work? Could you take advantage of an existing version of what you are making or doing?Threats.A threat is anything that may hinder or spoil your plan. It is important that you give some thought to events or things that might be a threat to your plan.E.g. Will the weather be a problem for a festival we are planning?Do we have enough people with the relevant skills on board?Can I finish the required work on time?I hope these suggestions will give some ideas on how to answer and think through your SWOT for effective planning.Let me remind you of a quote by Mr Winston Churchhill."Failing to plan, is planning to fail".If you don't plan things before you start, start planning now.If you do plan, start your planning with a SWOT Analysis.