I am convinced a personal development plan greatly determines your chances of reaching your full potential, both in your personal and professional life. John Maxwell says,
“Most people don’t realize that unsuccessful and successful people do not differ substantially in their abilities. They vary in their desires to reach their potential. And nothing is more effective when it comes to reaching potential that commitment to personal growth (Development).”
Not only does a person benefit from growing and developing but it also brings value to others, from colleagues to friends and family members. Having a personal development plan is essential no matter your current leadership position or title, because we all need to develop. This starts with understanding what is required in order to successfully have a personal development plan. Some aspects to consider are:
Paying the price- It requires time, energy, and money. We need to remember, “Growth today is an investment for tomorrow.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
Being intentional- It all starts with having a plan and being consistent in following through with the plan.
Having the right attitude- It takes humility to remain teachable. Pride often blocks a person from developing.
Perspective- No one develops over night, it’s a process. Abraham Lincoln said, “I don’t think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.”
If you want to develop then understanding these aspects is important.
Having a personal development plan requires knowing your learning style, being specific in your development areas, having different avenues of development, and setting a plan with goals to develop. This might mean you need to sit down and map out your plan and set goals for your development.
I have seen and heard about many different development plans, each with their own benefits. Your goal should be to set a plan that works with you. Because every personal development plan is different, I will not be sharing a specific development plan. But, here are some areas you might consider when it comes to setting up your plan:
Reading. Because Leaders should be Readers.
Listen to Audio books and lessons.
Attend conferences and workshops.
Find a coach or mentor. Its A Key Factor To Sharpening yourself.
Practice.
It is wise to remember the words of Earl Nightingale, “If a person will spend one hour a day on the same subject for five years, that person will be an expert on that subject.” If we want to become better leaders and people then taking time to develop is essential.
Questions: What is your plan to grow and develop? Are you setting personal development goals for next year?
