- Feb 28, 2020
What I thought of writing a SWOT Analysis?
A SWOT Analysis is a strategic planning technique employed to assist a individual in identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats relating to their professional progression. By completing an analysis of each section of the acronym, you will be able to see what you need to improve and discover new creative ways to do so, through your opportunities.
Before this module I had never heard of a SWOT Analysis, and my initial thoughts were that it would be a waste of time however after completing my own SWOT Analysis, I can confirm that they are in fact very useful in terms of demonstrating where you are as a individual. Whilst the issues I listed were things I have recognised about myself before, they never seemed like qualities I could change or think of a solution for. Surprisingly I feel as though the SWOT Analysis has really helped me not just in identifying my weaknesses but in acknowledging them as issues I need to work on.
SWOT - Self Analysis
Strengths:
Teamwork - I work well with others and whilst I sometimes prefer solo work, I can appreciate that the input of others in a design is ultimately beneficial. I also always try to maintain a friendly relationship with people as this is conductive to creating a comfortable environment for everyone involved.
Dedication - While working on commissions for The Common View Band, I have demonstrated my dedication to achieving a final product that all parties are pleased with, I am more than happy to make as many adjustments as necessary to create a piece that satisfies the clients wishes and branding.
Weaknesses:
Development - When beginning a new project sometimes I get an immediate idea in my head and instead of doing research to help inform my ideas I run with that single initial and fail to fully develop my idea. Leaving me with a concept that I’m not fully satisfied with.
Motivation & Organisation - I frequently struggle with motivation, at the beginning of a new project I become excited about all of the ideas running through my head but failing to do the work in an orderly fashion I quickly become weighed down with the work load. This leaves me stressed concerning the level of work I must do, and a lot of the time I begin to avoid said work.
Pitching & Presentations - I get very anxious when presenting and often find it hard to catch my breath this can cause me to rush through it messing up the structure at which I deliver the pitch. Ultimately it leaves me looking incompetent and disorganised. I think people see my presentations as impassioned and rushed.
Opportunities:
LinkedIn Learning - I recently became aware of an online learning platform that caters to people of all levels who want to learn something new to give them an edge in their industry. It can also be used to demonstrate evidence of your skills to employers, as you gain certificates that appear on your LinkedIn account showcasing your level with a variety of skills from engaging with difficult people in the work place to your understanding a capability with different software engines. I have in recent weeks began to develop my own skills in Illustrator and SketchUp.
Threats:
Perfectionism & Confidence - Frequently I struggle to share my work with others due to the knowledge that it is not up to the standard I require of myself. Even the smallest thing can totally knock my confidence in a design, I strive for perfection in everything I do. And when I fail to meet the standards I set myself I put myself down and avoid letting others see my work, this is something I have struggled with for years and whilst I have improved. I know it's still an issue, that I need to overcome.
Development - Failing to recognise when a design could be developed more especially in my case through further research.
Reviewing my SWOT with Adelina Court
Prior to my meeting with Adelina I had no 'Threats' listed as I couldn't understand the differentiation of connotations relating to 'Weaknesses' and 'Threats'. Court created a relaxed environment were the focus wasn't targeted on me coming up with 'Threats' but instead her asking me questions about how I work and my process on past projects. This was really helpful in getting me to reflect without all of the pressures of seeing it as a academic question I needed to answer correctly, which is how I viewed the SWOT Analysis. We discussed my need for perfectionism and fear of failure holding me back, Adelina explained that if I continued to avoid failure by not sharing my work it would mean I wouldn't be able to improve. She rightly described mistakes as acceptable 'learning curves' and reminded me that uni is a learning environment where we are supposed to develop and improve, based on feedback of mistakes. This is something I need to remember, as the initial idea doesn't need to be perfect, it should instead be something I build upon.
After reviewing my SWOT Analysis with Adelina Court I have decided to set my self a list of goals to improve myself in areas I have listed as a weakness.
To improve my development I plan to push my research further in all my projects, to do this I will set aside time before or during each project to focus on researching new ideas and influences.
I will from this point forward be using the 'Memorigi' app as a means of organising and dividing my workload, this will allow me to set myself a multitude of mini deadlines building up to the final submission of any work I need to complete.
In terms of pitching and presenting I hope to build my confidence and public speaking skills through a Salford Advantage Course.
I will force myself to use a technique described previously by Katherine Tomlin to overcome my issues of perfectionism, she stated that when you are struggling to begin simply set a timer and write until your times up. Then work to improve, as the first draft doesn't need to be perfect. I intend to apply this technique to all aspect of my work not just the written from.
I will also be pushing myself to complete two hours a week on LinkedIn Learning, participating in software based courses to build upon my digital skills.