What is a personal development plan in plain English?

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 curiosity about looking at this article, and that means you seem to be a great step ahead! However, there is also a much more to it.



So, 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 goals?




A personal development plan - in simple terms

You may well ask: “What is really a personal development plan?"


The official Wikipedia answer to the process about the personal development plan is the following: “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.” (source).

In my simple terms: “A personal development plan is a plan of action that gets you from where you are right now to where you want to be in future. This may incorporate learning hard skills (like project management skills) along with soft skills (like active listening).”



Is this a bit clearer now? 

Is it complicated to develop a personal development plan? It can be. Everything can be complicated. In my opinion, it's also a question of mindset. 
So...

.


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

Consider two benefits right this moment. Ready?


There can be huge benefits, both for you and your employer, if everything ends up as planned. In the event you finish this program as the 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.


Generally speaking, there are three varieties of motivation to create a self development plan:


1. A business related formal personal development plan: This is often a action plan linked with an annual interview or maybe action plan after a training. In terms of motivation, you will need to resonate with all the goals, even those suggested via your superior. 

2. A private related motivation, this may be a formal or informal plan. Should you decide to be a professional writer within the next 10 years, it could be helpful to do a formal planning.

3. A combination of the above mentioned.



However the question remains, how can you get it done?



Easy methods to develop a powerful personal development plan



When I make an individual development plan, I use the following questions like a guideline to organize myself best and then to make this plan as useful as you possibly can. Otherwise, I risk to lose the red thread. In spite of how much motivation I have got, without having a logic plan, I'm not really getting far.



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



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



2. What to write down? 
You will discover commonly five to seven main subsets of a personal development plan:

1. Goal

2. Success criteria (How will you know in case you have succeeded? Can you use the certificate of completion after your course? Be concrete. Think of KPIs.)

3. Action outline (What will I actually do to achieve those goals?)

4. Implementation (How will I practice what I learn?)

5. Timeline (or deadline)

6. Goal category/Skill (especially useful, when there is a mix between business and personal related goals)

7. Goal priority (weighting system: Discuss with your superior which goal is currently most vital. Hopefully the two of you agree.) 



3. How to write?

1. Profit from your company’s templates, if available. Maybe you may also re-purpose them for your personal objectives. Otherwise, simply use a straightforward spreadsheet initially with all the key categories stated earlier.

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

4. Action: Research on specific actions. 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 specific keywords to obtain additional ideas. Check out some Educational Media out there (internet, podcasts, iTunes U) ...

5. Sign the personal development plan, even when it is only for your personal use.

6. Print out a copy for your office.



4. When to write?

If business related, this will depend on the situations. Is this plan linked to your annual objectives? Has it been triggered during a training? Throughout a 360° Feedback process? In all cases, you ought to be informed beforehand.



5. What to draw?


Finally, yes, I really believe plans should not only consist of words and numbers. Make a drawing on a different page, simply for your own personal use. Draw a picture or a symbol that you just link with your desired outcome of the plan. It does not have to be pretty.





What do you do once it is on paper?

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 while!



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?

Interested to read more? Then visit the Self Development Plan site for more information to boost your personal growth!