LMA INSIGHTS: HOW TO WRITE A PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
MAP IT OUT
Establish what you want to achieve or where you want to get to in the short, medium and long term. There’s a distinction to be made here between the ‘what’ and the ‘where’, because personal development isn’t always about skilling up to move up; it’s also about ensuring you are reaching your potential at whatever stage your career and life are at.
GOING NOWHERE
If you can’t visualise easily how you want your career to pan out, think about what you love doing and are most passionate about, and how to make more of your biggest strengths. When little of your current role involves these things it may be time to shunt your career back on track or, indeed, onto another one.
ASSESS THE STATUS QUO
Look, in particular, at whether your skills and knowledge are sufficient to excel in your current role and will get where you want to go. Are there gaps that need to be filled or areas where existing competences could be refreshed and rebooted? Away from work, is there anything you’ve long aspired to be able to do, such as learning a foreign language or confident public speaking?
A LESSON IN LEARNING
There are likely to be various ways to fill those gaps, from formal courses with a qualification at the end to online learning, study visits, events and mentoring. Think about what timeframe you want to learn or develop in, the practicalities involved and how you best learn (e.g. group lessons or one-to-one tutoring; by doing or watching).
PRIORITISE
While your personal development plan may be filled with long-held dreams and genuine intentions, time is limited and focus can wane. Prioritise what you want to achieve, the actions you need to take, and set deadlines or goals for achieving them. Make a solid commitment by writing it all down in ink and refer back to it regularly.
