Enesejuhituse

Enesejuhituse (often translated as self-leadership or self-guidance) refers to the set of cognitive and behavioral processes by which a person directs their own actions, thoughts, and emotions toward achieving goals. It encompasses how people plan, monitor, and regulate themselves to improve performance and well-being.

Key elements include self-awareness, self-regulation, goal setting, self-motivation, planning, and self-evaluation. Techniques used in enesejuhituse include self-instruction, self-talk, visualization, and the use of implementation intentions (if-then planning). Designing the environment to cue desired behaviors is also considered part of enesejuhituse, helping people translate intentions into action.

The concept draws on self-regulation and cognitive-behavioral theories; in management and psychology, self-leadership was formalized as a theory by Charles M. Manz in the 1980s. It has since been studied across education, workplaces, sports, and mental health contexts, with reported benefits such as improved performance, greater autonomy, resilience, and adaptability.

Measurement and practice vary; researchers use self-report scales and behavioral assessments to gauge elements of enesejuhituse. Its effectiveness depends on individual traits, task demands, and the level of organizational or educational support. Critics note that self-guidance works best when complemented by external feedback and may be limited in highly complex or interdependent tasks.