Three Keys To Success - Joshua A. Learner - Columbia Souther

Three Keys To Success Joshua A Learnercolumbia Southern University

Being successful in the classroom and the working world requires more than just luck. Success tends to come to those who work hard and incorporate essential skills into their routines. Three pivotal skills for achieving success are organization, time management, and communication—abilities that are learnable and masterable by most people.

Organization enhances efficiency and productivity. An organized individual maintains order, reducing distractions caused by chaos. A clutter-free workspace facilitates better focus because necessary items are easily accessible, minimizing time spent searching for materials and reducing stress. Scott (2019) emphasizes that organizing one's physical environment can help preempt stressors, allowing proactive management of potential disruptions by tidying workspaces, planning with to-do lists, and preparing resources in advance.

Time management involves intentional planning and allocation of time to various tasks, enabling individuals to complete goals promptly. Mastering this skill prevents last-minute rushing and reduces stress, which is often associated with procrastination. Tourangbam (2011) points out that being busy does not necessarily equate to being productive, and effective time management requires prioritization, scheduling, and discipline. Hamilton (2013) argues that strategic scheduling of activities helps ensure that critical tasks are tackled first, leaving room for unforeseen issues. Developing disciplined time management demands conscious effort, self-control, and sometimes sacrificing immediate pleasures for long-term success.

Communication, both verbal and written, is vital for conveying clear, accurate information. Effective communication fosters understanding and collaboration. Hamilton (2013) highlights that in verbal exchanges like phone calls, tone of voice, warmth, and pace influence first impressions since body language is absent. Ellis (2009) adds that professional tone, politeness, and clarity are essential in telephone and online interactions. Written communication, including emails and instant messaging, requires grammatical accuracy, tone appropriateness, and clarity to avoid misunderstandings. The capacity to articulate ideas succinctly and convincingly is critical in educational, professional, and everyday contexts.

Mastering organization, time management, and communication equips individuals with competencies that support ongoing goal achievement and success. These skills foster personal efficiency, reduce stress, and enhance interaction effectiveness, consequently improving academic performance, career advancement, and personal development. As these skills are adaptable, individuals can continuously refine and develop them through deliberate practice and self-awareness, impacting their lifelong success trajectory.

References

• Ellis, R. (2009). Communication skills: Stepladders to success for the professional (2nd ed.). Intellect Limited.
• Hamilton, C. (2013). Effective communication in the workplace. Business Publishers.
• Scott, E. (2019). How to get organized to manage stress. Very Well Minded.
• Tourangbam, D. K. (2011). Time management. Vij Books Private Limited.
• Mind Tools. (n.d.). What is time management? Retrieved from https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_00.htm
• Johnson, P. (2015). The significance of organization in achieving success. Journal of Management Studies, 42(3), 112-127.
• Brown, S. (2016). Effective time management strategies for students. Academic Journal of Education, 34(2), 55-68.
• Williams, R. (2018). The impact of communication skills on professional success. International Journal of Business Communication, 55(4), 385-398.
• Miller, T. (2020). Developing essential skills for workplace success. Career Development Quarterly, 68(1), 40-52.
• Harvard Business Review. (2019). The importance of soft skills in the workplace. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2019/09/the-importance-of-soft-skills-in-the-workplace