A personal development plan will help you improve or maintain your current level of success and prepare for future opportunities. You can include both personal and career goals in a single plan, or create a separate plan for each of the key areas of your life. Either way, be sure to revisit your plan(s) at least once every six months to ensure your goals are aligned with the changes in the world around you.
This template includes sections for the following process:
1. Assess your current state.
2. Identify areas of opportunities.
3. Skills and experience needs.
4. Develop your action plan.
Assess Your Current State
List your top five skills (things that you do well):
1. Knowledge and competence in the industry
2. Excellent oral and written communication skills
3. Self-management and being in control of what I do
4. Decision making and problem solving skills
5. Teamwork in projects I am involved in
List the five values most important to you:
1. Accountability of time and company resources
2. Honesty
3. Positive thinking
4. Detail oriented when working on a project
5. Delivery of quality services and work
List your top five strengths:
(To validate your list, refer to your feedback forms from your family, friends or coworkers)
1. Trustworthiness – based on feedback from family and coworkers
2. Creativity noted on the performance review
3. Determination – based feedback from family and friends
4. Analytical and creative – based on performance review feedback
5. Team player – based on feedback from coworkers and performance review
List your five areas that most need improvement:
(To validate your list, refer to your feedback forms from your family, friends or coworkers)
1. Being too critical when making decisions
2. Meeting deadlines and keeping timelines
3. Unfamiliarity with latest technology
4. Hesitant when trying out a new method or process
5. Shyness when in a new environment
List five priority interests:
1. Meditation
2. Financial management
3. Strengthening of family relationships
4. Networking and socializing
5. Career development
List five priority wants:
1. Job promotion
2. Increased salary
3. Further learning
4. More time to exercise
5. Investment
Identify Areas of Opportunities
Where is your department headed?
Greater efficiency with the established teams dedicated to a project
Where is your company headed?
Market share expansion to increase the customer base and profitability
What areas do your friends and colleagues see as opportunities?
1. Financial development – shifting revenue streams
2. Current market trends – expansion of the customer base
3. Exercise – join a fitness club
4. Networking and socializing – attend company cocktails and parties
5. Career development – current opening in the department
What jobs or areas of interest look exciting and/or filled with potential?
How can you learn more?
1. Marketing – Job shadow Carole Blacke, the marketing executive to learn more about marketing strategies
2. Fitness Club – Talk to John Walker, the fitness club coach
3. Yoga Class – Start meditation classes
4. Saving money – join a financial management class
5. Career advancement – enroll for management classes at the community college
Skills and Experience Needs
Based on the previous sections, which skills would be most helpful to my personal and career growth?
1. Communication skills
2. Marketing skills
3. Decision making and problem solving skills
4. Creative skills
5. Team work
Develop Your Action Plan
Based on the previous sections, list five key goals. Goals are longer-term aims, more general than objectives. They may take a year or more to achieve. Rather than limit yourself with narrow goals like moving from Salesperson to Sales Manager, expand the possibilities and make your goal moving from Salesperson to management—either in sales or elsewhere.
(If you’re unsure which area(s) you want to pursue, use the previous sections with blanks or general responses, to create your list. In this case, your goals are to gain greater clarity about which areas of potential opportunities or interests you want to focus on in the next year or two.)
List five key goals:
1. Get a promotion at work
2. Graduate with a second degree in the field of management
3. Become physically fit
4. Increase my savings account
5. Invest
Objectives are specific actions that support your larger goals. Choose objectives that will have the greatest impact on achieving your goals. Use the SMART system to define them:
Specific—can you clearly define the objective you want to accomplish?
Measurable—how will you know when it’s complete?
Attainable—is it realistic, based on your current skills and experience?
Relevant—how does it directly contribute to the goal you’re pursuing?
Time frame—can you accomplish it within a reasonable time period?
Complete the plan below. Upload to the LMS. You could also print, and post it in a prominent place. Review regularly to maintain progress on achieving your goals.
INSERT YOUR NAME HERE – PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Specific Objective
Measurement
Attainable
Relevance
Time Frame
Achieved? Y/N
Enrol for a business management degree program
Attend all classes and complete class projects in time.
Yes with the support of family and co-workers during evening classes.
A business management degree certificate supports my career development goals in the marketing department.
2-year program
Job shadow Carole Blacke, the marketing executive for a day
Follow Carole Blacke’s day activities in the marketing department
Yes, with permission from my department supervisor
Gain insight into the job requirements and skills needed for a marketing executive
Set up a day coming week.
Join a fitness club and start a fitness program
Track the frequency of the classes every week
Yes, after getting a medical check-up.
Becoming physically fit
Develop a steady routine for the first 2 weeks then maintain the routine
Enrol for a financial management class in the community college
Attend all sessions and work on the assignments diligently
Yes, with the support of family and friends
The financial management class will support my saving goals and improve my saving skills
1 week learning session
Attend investment seminars and forums
Attend the workshops and sessions
Yes, with the help of family and friends
The seminars and workshops will support my investment goals
1 week long workshop
