No one else can create, schedule, or demand a personal development plan for you. - Tweet This Post
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Contributing Author: Rose Bush
When I first decided to step it up a notch by designing my own personal development plan, it was as a result of having attended a week-long efficacy training workshop.
I was looking to improve some skills and to build others after taking a closer look at my competition.
That drooling ordeal led me to the decision that it was time to get ahead in the business.
I knew that not only this decision would be an uphill climb but that it would also have to start with me filling in the missing gaps.
Looking back, I can still recall that feeling...
You know the one you get when you’re all fired up.
I was sitting on the edge of my seat when the workshop ended and I was experiencing a feeling that wasn't there before.
In fact, before getting the urge to move, I was down right comfortable right where I was.
But intrinsically, I knew, it was time to change.
I wanted a change.
I needed a change.
I wanted to produce change.
You see, for years I had been watching the teachers pet and I discovered that she had both business acumen and personality traits that I had yet to develop.
For instance, she was a "guru analyst" at the time. Truthfully, I wasn’t even remotely interested in what a "guru analyst" was, other than knowing that I needed to stay out of the red on the reports she produced!
Designing, Implementing, and Executing a Personal Development Plan
I’m sure you’re probably already quite familiar with the strategy of developing, implementing, and executing a personal development plan.
The problem is that when a personal development plan isn't broken down the climb is longer and the yield is less powerful.
It is of critical importance to break down your personal development plan and separate your goals from one another.
Here are four simple ways to design a personal development plan tailored to your personal goals and needs:
1.) Find a mentor or coach.
For instance, seek out the CEO, or another C-suite member in hopes of gaining a mentor. Go for it!
2.) Attend and participate in workshops to get the hottest training in your niche.
You can find free and affordable workshops in your community. If you are having trouble finding workshops in your niche, then leverage the power of the internet and search for online workshops.
3.) Find other ways to work on your personal development.
Read self-development books, podcasts, view recorded programs, tapes, etc. Whatever you can get your hands on to gain some knowledge you didn't have beore.
4.) Connect with like-minded individuals.
You can learn from anyone under any circumstances.Take advantage of the power of social media and seek out other people with similar goals and ambitions. You can do what I did. Befriend with the teachers pet at the next event you attend.
Each and everyone of the above practices gave me something that I could put in my toolbox for home or play. This is a personal win-win for me because I owned it.
I not only owned it, I manufactured it.
I could have called it quits at anytime but I didn’t because it was personal to and for me.
I wanted it.
No one else can create, schedule, or demand a personal development plan for me.
My definition of personal development plan is the personal choice to change or improve an area of one’s life for the better.
A personal development plan will be different or change from person to company. In fact, there is no such term until it's defined by you.
My point is that only YOU can decide to improve yourself.
Once you are vested, I strongly suggest you make the commitment until you reap the return on investement (ROI), which is why the course you set must be one personally designed and defined by you.
Ask yourself two million-dollar questions:
What’s your personal development plan?
What new skills do you want to acquire that can help you to be even better tomorrow?
Oh, is it worth it you say?
Well, remember my story about the teachers pet?
Three years after I implemented and executed my plan, I became the teacher’s pet boss!
Don’t get me wrong. It wasn't about her. It was all about ME.
Designing, implementing, and executing a personal development plan has yielded results I hadn’t even imagined!
So, what are you waiting for? Get started today!
Photo Credit: crushmetender, Leo Reynolds via Compfight cc
About the Contributing Author: 
After suffering a Double Brain Aneurysm, Rose Bush ended her 21 year career in corporate communications and established a 2nd career as a Solo-Preneur and Professional Blogger. In addition to caring for her four “Minimees” (daughters), Rose strategizes brand management and social media profiles for professionals, small business entrepreneurs and college millennials via her new startup, The Brand Shop. You can connect with Rose on Twitter @Minimees4 and on Facebook.
