Personal Development and How to Plan for Success

Category: Tips and Advice Publish date: 27/07/2017

Although ‘Personal Development’ seems to be a phrase that is used extensively in lots of different aspects of our lives, the truth is very few people actually understand what it is, why it’s important or how to use the concept to achieve their personal goals. Here is our brief guide on how to start your lifelong journey of personal development by implementing your very own personal development plan!

So what is personal development and why is a plan important?

“Personal development is a lifelong process. It is a way for people to assess their skills and qualities, consider their aims in life and set goals in order to realise and maximise their potential”.

When it’s phrased like this, the whole concept of personal development sounds very simple (which actually it is) but we need a plan in place to keep us on track and ensure we don't lose sight of the things we want to achieve. The crazy truth is that so many of us plan our holidays with far more care and attention than we plan our own careers! Think about it.

How to Create Your Personal Development Plan

Step 1 – Define your goals
The first step is to define goals that are really important to you. These can be related to your career, but also focus on something that will enrich or improve your personal life too (like losing weight, starting a new hobby/activity, or learn a new language). It’s important to realise that only you and you alone can determine what your goals are. Don’t be tempted to let other people set them for you!

Step 2 – Set deadlines
If you have a goal but don’t know when you want to achieve it, the chances are it will never happen. Be realistic about how long it will take you to achieve your goals and review on a regular basis.

Step 3 – Understand your strengths
It can sometimes be difficult to assess our own strengths objectively so it can be a good idea to ask family, friends or your CTP Career Consultant to help with this stage. Their answers may surprise you! Once you feel you understand your strengths it’s important to identify which ones will help with which goals. You may be a wonderful singer but it’s probably not going to help you in a technical assessment!

Step 4 – Develop new skills
Which skills or knowledge will help you to achieve your goals? Skills and knowledge gaps can’t be filled until you truly understand where those gaps actually are! Don't miss out on using your IRTC grant; take a look at the range of CTP courses and choose the right resettlement training to help you achieve your goals.

Step 5 – Action
The chances are every goal you have identified will require several actions to achieve it, which can often seem daunting. It’s helpful to list the 3 most important actions to help keep you focused.

Step 6 – Measure your progress
There will be times when things seem to be going well and your progress is clear to see. It’s important to recognise this to help you stay motivated. Equally there will be times when progress appears to be slow or worse still non-existent. An important part of the measurement stage in your plan is to make lists of both things that are working well and can be seen as accomplishments as well as areas for improvement and things you need to change and do differently.

We know you’ve heard it before, but...

“The definition of insanity is doing something over and over again and expecting a different result.”

Step 7 – Get support
Identify who can help you with specific goals. For example, if one of your goals is to develop your career outside of the military then a CTP Career Consultant will be able to provide you with ongoing support even after your discharge date. If one of your goals is to undertake work experience in a new industry, take a look at your network of contacts: you may already know somebody working in that industry who can help you. As part of your personal development plan, make a list of organisations and individuals who can provide support for specific goals.

Top Tip – There is very little point putting a personal development plan in place if you are not going to use it! Try dedicating 5 quiet minutes at the end of each day to look at your plan and we have no doubt it will serve you well. Happy planning!

For help and guidance on your career post-discharge, please contact your CTP Career Consultant or your nearest Resettlement Centre.