View source for Managing Yourself (The Checklist Series: Step by step guides to getting it right) by The Chartered Management Institute

{{infobox1
|title=Managing Yourself (The Checklist Series: Step by step guides to getting it right)
|author=The Chartered Management Institute
|reviewer=Sue Magee
|genre=Business and Finance
|summary=Essential reading for anyone involved in the workplace. For a new starter it's gold dust, but there's real value right through to retirement.  Highly recommended.
|rating=5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=252
|publisher=Profile Books
|date=July 2013
|isbn=978-1781251454
|website=http://www.managers.org.uk/
|cover=1781251452
|aznuk=1781251452
|aznus=1781251452
}}

When you start work, when you become a manager or move up the ladder it's assumed that you will need training in ''managing''.  This is always assumed to be managing other people, but it's only very rarely that any consideration is given to managing yourself - and then probably only in specific areas.  But - if you haven't sorted yourself out, thought through your own actions and motivations, how can you give leadership to others?  ''Managing'' ''Yourself'' remedies this and covers the cradle to grave of working life. If you have ambitions to move up the career ladder - or even if you just want to have a more rewarding and stress-free working life - this book is essential reading.

It's practical.  You could read books on many of the subjects covered and not come away with a great deal more motivation.  Advice is generally given in the form of checklists which you can work your way through.  For instance the new joiner is given nine positive points to consider including 'making an impact with the big picture rather than the detail' and 'making an impact upwards as well as at your own level', but there are also some points which, as a manager, you should avoid.  These are short points, not laboured in any way but they do make salutary warnings: ''avoid __ allowing past success in a previous role or organisation to make you overconfident or give you a sense of invincibility''.

It's one of the most jargon-free books on management I've ever read.  It doesn't need a glossary and you won't need the dictionary.  It's aimed at the generalist from the new joiner to the aspiring pensioner but it doesn't patronise either.  You can read this as a novice or as someone with experience behind them and it will give food for thought.  It might even give a few cringe-worthy moments too...

Areas which are not covered in other books are covered here.  ''Office Politics'' are usually only mentioned as something which is best avoided but I liked the advice given which showed how they could be a force for good.  It's reasonable to be noticed for the right reasons and you should be aware of both the formal ''and'' informal power networks within an organisation.  Equally you should avoid sticking to the same network as your career progresses - and you certainly shouldn't be devious or underhand.  That last bit should be engraved in granite.

Personal and work areas are covered.  You should look after yourself - you don't function well if you're not up to scratch and you should balance your life and your work.  These may seem obvious points to make but it's surprising how many people think that they - and their home life - have to suffer to prove that they are committed to the job. (I've even known employers who had that view of their employees.)

I've picked points almost at random and there is so much more in the book.  It covers the employee and the self-employed person as well as people at each end of their working life.  The advice on redundancy is excellent.  On some points you may well find that you want to go on and read more deeply, but for most people this book is going  to be - at the very least - an valuable starting point.  I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

It isn't ''quite'' as focused but if this book appeals to you then you might also appreciate [[The Answers: All the Office Questions You Never Dared to Ask by Lucy Kellaway]].

{{amazontext|amazon=1781251452}}
{{amazonUStext|amazon=1781251452}} 

{{commenthead}}