Self-Management at Work

Equip early-career professionals with practical disciplines for managing their time, attention and energy in a modern workplace. Learners build routines that protect focus, reduce reactive context switching and align daily effort with weekly priorities. The module stresses evidence-based habits over productivity fads and prepares learners to defend their calendar while remaining collaborative.

Learning Outcomes

Design a weekly calendar that blocks deep work and protects energy peaks.

Apply inbox-zero and triage rules to achieve a low-friction communication workflow.

Use the next-action rule and a trusted system (GTD-style) to externalise commitments.

Reduce context switching through batching and defined focus windows.

Say no, defer or renegotiate low-value requests using assertive language.

Conduct a weekly review that captures lessons, open loops and next week commitments.

Distinguish time management from energy management and plan recovery deliberately.

Topics Covered

Calendar protection and time blocking

Deep work and focus windows

Inbox zero and email triage

Context switching costs

Batching similar tasks

Next-action rule (GTD)

Weekly review ritual

Energy vs time management

Do-not-disturb and signalling

Saying no and renegotiating scope

Prioritisation (Eisenhower, MITs)

Pomodoro and ultradian rhythms

Meeting hygiene

Note capture and second brain

Digital minimalism at work

Skills Developed

Time blocking Email triage Prioritisation Assertive communication Reflective practice Attention management Task capture Meeting facilitation Boundary setting

Suggested Resources

{'title': 'Deep Work', 'author': 'Cal Newport', 'source': 'Grand Central, 2016'}

{'title': 'Getting Things Done', 'author': 'David Allen', 'source': 'Penguin, 2015 revision'}

{'title': 'Indistractable', 'author': 'Nir Eyal', 'source': 'BenBella, 2019'}

{'title': 'The Power of Full Engagement', 'author': 'Loehr & Schwartz', 'source': 'Free Press, 2003'}

{'title': 'Make Time', 'author': 'Knapp & Zeratsky', 'source': 'Currency, 2018'}

{'title': 'Four Thousand Weeks', 'author': 'Oliver Burkeman', 'source': 'FSG, 2021'}

{'title': 'Essentialism', 'author': 'Greg McKeown', 'source': 'Crown, 2014'}

Assessment

Blend of applied artefacts and knowledge checks across the module.

MCQ quiz25%

Calendar design exercise25%

Weekly review log (2 weeks)25%

Saying-no role play25%

Practice bank: 200 MCQs · Timed mock & self-paced modes

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