When was the last time you thought about your professional
development? Do you have a plan that outlines your development goals?
Are you consistently taking steps to upgrade your skills? If not, you
are taking a significant career risk. You may be an extraordinarily
valuable asset today, but if you aren't committed to ongoing
professional development, you are in danger of losing your relevance in
the future.
Think of yourself as a product. Perhaps you are currently a market leader. You are popular, have great features, and solve important problems. In order to maintain your competitive advantage, however, you must stay ahead of the curve. It is not sufficient to simply perform well today. You need to
consistently evaluate how you can continue to perform well tomorrow.
You may be thinking, "I would love to focus on my professional development, but I don't have time. I am already overwhelmed with responsibilities." The reality is that you cannot afford not to invest in your own development.
Here are some steps you can take:
1. Anticipate the future
Often we become so immersed in the here and now that we lose sight of the changes that lie ahead. Without losing your focus on your current job, you need to stay alert to the changing landscape around you. Stay on top of industry trends, technological advancements, changes in company direction, etc. Build this into your routine. If you need to arrive 15 minutes early to work each day, this is an important investment in your long-term career success.
2. Identify gaps in your skills and experience
Take some time to think about your skills and strengths, as well as the areas you need to develop. Is there a software program you have been meaning to learn? Is there a new product line you need to better understand? Is there a new competitor in your market that you need to further research? Conduct an honest assessment of yourself to identify gaps in your skills and experience, and determine where you need to focus your professional development efforts.
3. Invest in your education
For some professionals, this means returning to formal education, but for most, the process is much less rigorous and time consuming. Begin with your company's training resources. Are there courses you can take to upgrade your skills or broaden your expertise? If your company lacks a strong training program, are there industry associations that offer relevant courses or workshops? Perhaps you can take a class at a local community college.
4. Talk to the experts
You could learn more in one substantive conversation with a subject matter expert than you could in an entire workshop. Seek out the thought leaders, trendsetters, and early adopters who are ahead of the curve. Understand the direction that your role, company, and industry are taking. Ask questions and give serious thought to how you personally need to adapt to maintain your relevance.
5. Have a development plan
Without a development plan, you are less likely to follow through on your development goals. Identify three to five specific development goals that you would like to achieve and set deadlines for each one. Use your plan to guide your development process. If a particular development goal is no longer important, or you need to re-prioritize, update your development plan accordingly.
It is important to remember that your development is never complete. You must commit to ongoing professional development if you want to maximize your career success. Unfortunately, many professionals view development as an annual conversation that coincides with their performance review. It is not, however, a point in time event; it needs to be part of the fabric of your career management strategy.
We live in a fast-paced, ever-changing world. Technology advancements, outsourcing, and other trends are rendering many previously stable jobs obsolete. If you want to stay relevant and maximize your career success, it is critical that you engage in continuous professional development.
By Kim Meninger
Think of yourself as a product. Perhaps you are currently a market leader. You are popular, have great features, and solve important problems. In order to maintain your competitive advantage, however, you must stay ahead of the curve. It is not sufficient to simply perform well today. You need to
consistently evaluate how you can continue to perform well tomorrow.
You may be thinking, "I would love to focus on my professional development, but I don't have time. I am already overwhelmed with responsibilities." The reality is that you cannot afford not to invest in your own development.
Here are some steps you can take:
1. Anticipate the future
Often we become so immersed in the here and now that we lose sight of the changes that lie ahead. Without losing your focus on your current job, you need to stay alert to the changing landscape around you. Stay on top of industry trends, technological advancements, changes in company direction, etc. Build this into your routine. If you need to arrive 15 minutes early to work each day, this is an important investment in your long-term career success.
2. Identify gaps in your skills and experience
Take some time to think about your skills and strengths, as well as the areas you need to develop. Is there a software program you have been meaning to learn? Is there a new product line you need to better understand? Is there a new competitor in your market that you need to further research? Conduct an honest assessment of yourself to identify gaps in your skills and experience, and determine where you need to focus your professional development efforts.
3. Invest in your education
For some professionals, this means returning to formal education, but for most, the process is much less rigorous and time consuming. Begin with your company's training resources. Are there courses you can take to upgrade your skills or broaden your expertise? If your company lacks a strong training program, are there industry associations that offer relevant courses or workshops? Perhaps you can take a class at a local community college.
4. Talk to the experts
You could learn more in one substantive conversation with a subject matter expert than you could in an entire workshop. Seek out the thought leaders, trendsetters, and early adopters who are ahead of the curve. Understand the direction that your role, company, and industry are taking. Ask questions and give serious thought to how you personally need to adapt to maintain your relevance.
5. Have a development plan
Without a development plan, you are less likely to follow through on your development goals. Identify three to five specific development goals that you would like to achieve and set deadlines for each one. Use your plan to guide your development process. If a particular development goal is no longer important, or you need to re-prioritize, update your development plan accordingly.
It is important to remember that your development is never complete. You must commit to ongoing professional development if you want to maximize your career success. Unfortunately, many professionals view development as an annual conversation that coincides with their performance review. It is not, however, a point in time event; it needs to be part of the fabric of your career management strategy.
We live in a fast-paced, ever-changing world. Technology advancements, outsourcing, and other trends are rendering many previously stable jobs obsolete. If you want to stay relevant and maximize your career success, it is critical that you engage in continuous professional development.
By Kim Meninger
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