Thursday, February 21, 2013

A Personal Development Plan in Plain English

By Jessie Chatwin


If you would like build a personal development plan which enables you you to actually achieve your objectives, solid preparation will be the answer. Preparation already gets underway with your interest of reading this article, and that means you seem to be a great step ahead! However, there is also a much more to it. Suppose I showed you the way to use some great preparation techniques to develop a powerful personal development plan that takes you on the way to your big goals, what do you think?

A personal development plan - decoded

You ask: "What is really a personal development plan?" The Wikipedia answer* for the process about the personal development plan is this: "Personal development planning is the process of creating an action plan based on awareness, values, reflection, goal-setting and planning for personal development within the context of a career, education, relationship or for self-improvement."

In my simple words: "A personal development plan is an action plan that gets you from where you are right now to where you want to be in future. This could possibly incorporate learning hard skills (like project management skills) and soft skills (like active listening)."

Is this somewhat clearer now? Can it be complicated to generate a personal development plan? It might be. Everything can be complicated. In my view, it is also a matter of mindset. Therefore....

....why is it that we need a personal development plan?

Consider two benefits right this moment. Ready? There can be great benefits, both for you and your employer, if everything ends up as planned. In the event you finish this program as a project management professional, for instance, you can be referred to as the project management expert within your company and be engaged in different interesting projects. Added values for both parties.

There can be huge benefits, for both you as well as your employer, if everything ends up as planned. In the event you finish the course to be a project management professional, for instance, you can be referred to as the project management expert within your company and also be involved in different interesting projects. Added value for both parties.

Normally, there are three different types of motivation to establish a personal development plan:

1. A business related (and therefore formal) personal development plan: This can be an action plan linked to an annual interview as well as action plan after a training. Regarding motivation, it is very important resonate with all the objectives, even those suggested via your superior. 2. A private-related motivation, it is a formal or informal plan. If you plan to be a professional writer in the following ten years, it usually is helpful to do a formal planning. 3. A combination of the above mentioned. However the question remains, how can you get it actually done?

The right way to build a powerful personal development plan

Answer the next questions (not necessarily in this particular order):

1. Why should I want to write this personal development plan? Consult the top of this post, if you want a few recommendations.

1. Why do I want to write this self development plan? Refer to the top of this article, if you would like some tips.

2. What to write? There can be commonly 5 to 7 main categories of a self development plan:

1. Goal 2. Success criteria (How would you know in case you have succeeded? Can you use the certificate of completion after your course? Be concrete.) 3. Action outline (What is my to-do plan to accomplish those objectives?) 4. Implementation (In what way will I practice the things I learn?) 5. Timeline 6. Goal category/Skill (especially useful, if there's a mix between personal and business related goals) 7. Goal priority (Weighting system: Talk with your superior which goal currently is most important. Hopefully the two of you agree.)

3. How to write the plan?

2. Goal: Apply reflection time to think about your objectives. This may be, for example, linked to a training or following a 360 Feedback Process.

3. Goal & Action outline: If you like to combine a goal with a key activity, I recommend you utilize the following formula: I commit to [Verb] + [Precise Goal] + [Frequency Per Week] + [Optional: duration] + [Purpose] = Action

3. Goal & Action plan: If you like to combine a goal with a key activity, I suggest you use the following formula: I commit to [Verb] + [Precise Goal] + [Frequency Per Week] + [Optional: duration] + [Purpose] = Action

4. Action: Research on specific to-do's. Refer to the company's training catalog. Ask people close to you what their favourite course was on topic X. Use Amazon and look for particular keywords to get additional ideas. Have a look at some Educational Media available (internet, podcasts, iTunes U) ... 5. Sign the personal development plan, even when it is just for your personal use. 6. Print out a copy for your desk.

4. When to write? If business related, this would depend on the circumstances. Is this plan connected with your annual objectives? Has it been triggered during a training? During a 360 Feedback process? In every case, you ought to be informed upfront.

5. What to draw? Finally, yes, I really believe plans should not only consist of words and numbers. Come up with a drawing on a different page, just for your personal use. Draw a picture or maybe a symbol that you just link to your desired outcome of the plan. It does not need to be a pretty picture.

Keep to the planning, shoot for some progress, not perfection by tomorrow. You'll be more satisfied and for that reason more motivated to keep going. Last, however, not least, be sure you treat yourself occasionally!

Has the question on "What is a personal development plan?" been answered for you personally? What is your opinion about this type of detailed preparation? Does this make sense?




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