Sleeve Notes
Not excited about your PDP?...
...well you should be, otherwise what's the point in creating one?
A Personal Development Plan (PDP) is just that, personal. Therefore whatever you decide to put in it should be important to you, whether they are goals for inside or outside of work.
Let's start by asking some fundamental questions before you even begin collating your PDP.
Side One - Getting it right from the start
Ask yourself these questions, BEFORE creating extra work for yourself...
How excited do I feel about the goals I'm about to set myself?
How motivated do I feel to create actions for these goals?
How Inspired do I feel about the end goal?
What level of challenge/stretch will these give me?
How rewarded will I feel once I've completed them?
If you are answering the above questions in the positive, you are more likely to succeed and be willing to adapt and flex along the way.
If not, try Side Two...
Side Two - Getting your PDP mojo back
What do I really want to do and therefore is important for me to achieve, personally &/or professionally?
What do I want to see on my PDP that represents my true character?
What types of goals will excite/motivate/inspire/challenge and reward me?
Side Three - Getting it down
The 'look' of your PDP doesn't have to be formulaic. If you want it to be more than just words, add some colour, some meaningful pictures.
For example - If you are creating a goal around being healthier so you can keep up with your child, add a picture of them next to your goal to remind you why you are doing this.
Side Four - Getting it out there
Going through the detail of what to put in a PDP is for another time (and blog!).
Here are some key things to remember though as you put it together and start to share...
Think of your PDP as your own current brand or identity.
It tells you and everyone else what's important for you right now, both personally & professionally.
It's written in a way that anyone (including you!) can understand what you want to achieve.
It's easy for you to remember without referring to it regularly. (Is that you shoving it in a drawer and forgetting about it??). You won't remember, if it's not what you really want to do.
The Download
Beware of having a PDP just to suit or please others. One way this can happen is when you allow others to create your goals because you haven't given due time and consideration to what will actually motivate & help you to move forward.
You can't blame others for this. Your PDP is an opportunity to empower yourself & take ownership of what you really want to do.
Keep it real with just enough challenge to stretch and excite you, but don't bend over backwards!
You'll find it much easier to put your PDP together & take action if you are personally invested in it and it brings real meaning to your life.
Comments