“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” – Paulo Coelho

Executing Personal Development Plans


Approaches to Executing Your Personal Development Plans

Executing your personal development plans is as simple as identifying the specific parts of your plan, splitting them into short, medium, and long term goals, and using a system to achieve those goals. Loughborough University has developed one system called RAPID, which is Recording Academic, Professional and Individual Development.

However, RAPID is actually split into two other acronyms, SPEED and PACE. While SPEED focuses on executing plans, PACE helps you track and organize personal development training, often in the form of a CV or resume. Hence, it is important to simultaneouly develop the two, in unison, to obtain the greatest benefit within the shortest period of time.


SPEED


  1. Survey Identify your current skills and opportunities to learn new ones.
  2. Plan Define short-term to long-term goals and create task lists to meet these goals.
  3. Execute Complete tasks lists and goals.
  4. Evaluate Review your progress, reflect on lessons learned, and identify areas of improvement.
  5. Document Record results of plan execution.

PACE


  1. Personal Information Important information about your character and skill set.
  2. Achievements Highlighted goals you have achieved.
  3. Career Management Career experience.
  4. Evidence References, Recommendations

Essential Elements of Your Personal Development Plans


One of the most important elements of a thorough personal development plan is a set of analysis devices used to develop personal skills, highlight achievements, confront weaknesses and identify potential barriers. Many personal development trainers use a SWOT analysis to illustrate the elements of problem solving. Use a cross-grid to organize the following metrics:

  • Strengths - What skills do you currently possess?
  • Weaknesses - What areas for improvement can you identify?
  • Opportunities - What resources or tools do you have that can help you add strengths?
  • Threats - What possible barriers will there be to meeting goals?

The SMART system is an acronym designed to help you determine whether an action plan for personal development is reasonable. Always ask yourself if your plan can be applied to the following:

Specific: The plan uses definite goals. The plan includes ways to improve time management skills, not simply identify that there is a problem.

  • Yes - I will practice good time management.
  • No - I will learn how to properly manage my time.

Measurable: You can measure your progress on each individual goal over time.

  • Yes - I plan to exercise 20 minutes a day, three days a week.
  • No - I will lose weight.

Achievable: You have the resources to meet goals included in the action plan.

  • Yes - I will enroll in a personal development training program.
  • No - I have the knowledge to implement an action plan without resources or assistance.

Realistic: The plan is not so aggressive that it is impossible or dangerous.

  • Yes - I can afford to spend one hour every Thursday morning to meet my goals.
  • No - My goals require me to spend more than 40 hours per week on personal development.

Time-Bound: An action plan includes a deadline and several smaller targets.

  • Yes - I will complete two training seminars by January 17th, one each month.
  • No - I will attend training seminars as time allows.

When setting and planning goals or executing a personal development plan, it's often helpful to ask a trusted friend or professional to assist you. A personal tutor or friend may help you identify other areas of improvement, as well as determine whether goals are too aggressive.


The Importance of Record-Keeping


Tracking and evaluating your progress is vital to successfully executing personal development plans. Record-keeping can be done using a system created by a professional, or simply take the form of a detailed spreadsheet. Outline any new skills you develop while executing the plan. Keeping a record helps you:

  • measure your progress
  • record information to help you describe your skills to a potential employer
  • track a plan to bring to personal development events and conferences
  • brainstorm on how future plans can be improved

Anything you want to accomplish in life is possible, so long as you set a goal, make a plan, take action on your plan and monitor your progress. The very same system has been used by all of the world's most prosperous and successful individuals, ranging from high-powered CEOs to professional bodybuilders. If you have a dream and make a realistic plan to achieve it, nothing's out of reach.

Sometimes, the specifics of the plan start to spell trouble. Other times, it can be difficult to know the best and most proven ways of executing your personal development plan. Still other times, you may not even know which plan is the best one to make. The services offered by LifePath Unlimited can help in all of these scenarios. Contact us now for your Free consultation.