I recently came across a book in my bookcase titled How to Be a Star at Work: Nine Breakthrough Strategies You Need to Succeed. It was written by Robert E. Kelley, in 1998.

This was to be one of the books that I had planned to give away for the local library book sale. However, after re-reading a couple of chapters I have decided to keep this self-development/self-management book and read it again.

While many of Kelley's ideas and suggestions were not new in 1998, some of the ideas and suggestions, were and still are very good. We all have different learning styles and self-management styles. One of my self-management styles is to write things down in my own words. If I want to learn and keep the knowledge in my head, I am one of those people who must write it down. Of course, this may have come from a teacher many years ago-she told us, "write it down and it becomes yours." I took that to heart. The thing is, writing it down works for me when it comes to learning and retaining information. I understand that and have used this method to help me move forward. Being able to manage yourself is the bottom line in anything and everything you do.

Developing your own self-management skills can make your personal life easier and boost your career as well. It may even turn you into the office star. While everyone is different, there are common "star" threads that turn up again and again. Here are some of Kelley's thoughts:

1. Choose a job suits your particular talent. This will allow you to use your talent, while giving you job satisfaction and your company your special expertise.

2. Learn your company's goals. When you do that you are able to add your own thoughts and values to help your company attain its goals.

3. Look around the office or your company, is there someone whose work habits you admire? Borrow those habits and methods for your own self-improvement.

4. Find a way to minimize interruptions by your managers and peers. Take control of your time without being obvious. Don't allow the change to separate you from your peers.

This book is still available from Amazon.com How to Be a Star at Work: 9 Breakthrough Strategies You Need to Succeed it is worth a read.