◄Previous: 2.2 Restrictions and resources

# 2.3 Balancing helpful resources against restrictions

Now look again at the restrictions and resources you listed in Activity 4. You probably noted some factors that would help you to move in the direction that you want to take and others that you need to find a way round. You now need to consider each of your goals in terms of all the resources that could be helpful or restrictions that might hinder you. The next activity will help with this.

## Activity 5

Allow about 30 minutes

Look first at the example in Table 2. It was produced by someone who wanted to apply for a promotion. Each restriction is set against a helping resource, giving a balanced picture of the situation.

## Table 2

Resources | Restrictions
--- | ---
Line manager’s support | Colleagues’ reactions
Personal ambition/determined | Limited mobility
Prepared to take responsibility | Little experience of managing people
Project management experience | No experience of managing budgets

Now return to the template and balance the resources and restrictions for the goal(s) you listed for Activity 3. Which of the goals are the most important? Highlight them.

What actions would help you to make the most of the resources you listed? And what would help you to reduce the effects of the restrictions?

You’ve listed the actions you can take towards your goals. You should now bring actions and resources together, listing the resources that can help you to carry out each step. Look at the example in Table 3, where ‘no experience of managing budgets’ was listed as a problem.

## Table 3

Actions | Resources
--- | ---
Attend course on finance for non-managers at work Attend outside course in the evenings Find out about the budget process | Internal training courses Local college has course Line manager’s support Family support

Now do this for each of the actions you listed in the template for this activity in the resource pack.

### Comment

You should now have a clear picture of what you really want and what ideas you want to develop. You should also be clear about the main helping forces and problems you need to deal with.

You've now completed Section 2 - well done! We hope that you have found your study useful and are motivated to carry on with the course. Remember, if you pass the quiz at the end of each block you will be able to download a badge as evidence of your learning and a statement of participation that recognises your completion of the whole course.

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