Tuesday, 31 October 2017
Monday, 30 October 2017
Sunday, 29 October 2017
Friday, 27 October 2017
Personal Development: A Comprehensive Overview
Do know what the phrase 'Personal Development' really means? Personal development can be defined as the practice and study of improving one's life; this can especially be true in terms of health, education, happiness, career, productivity, relationships and other personal challenges. Some common aspects of personal development usually include changing habits, goal setting, improving awareness, motivation, self-actualization and realizing one's beliefs and values.
Personal development has played an extensive role in history, as it has influenced many cultures through the course of history. Such cultures are that have been affected are: Western and Eastern religions, Ancient Greek philosophy, Psychoanalysis, Gestalt therapy, Humanistic Psychology, Existentialism and Hypnotherapy.
Currently, there are many theories and concepts in personal development that have started to undergo scientific testing in the realms of Clinical psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Neuroscience and Positive Psychology. Yet, before you get started, understand that there are many assumptions associated with this topic. The following information will give you a good oversight at some of the most important assumptions that you need to know if you are seeking to personally develop yourself.
Personal Development's Common Assumptions
Before we get started describing the assumptions, it's important that you keep in mind the fact that you are responsible for the way in which you live your life. Those traveling down the personal development road understand that their actions and thoughts play an enormous role in how life turns out.
-Define exactly what it is that you want, before you begin trying to achieve it. There are a lot of people who go aimlessly through life, never having a clear path mapped out. However, ultimately, before you are able to achieve life's values, you must realize them.
-Long-term benefits can be achieved through short-term costs. Trying to change one's life is not a cake walk. On the other hand, real change takes effort and failure. No one will present you with a blueprint or magic pills to follow. You must be willing to invest and believe in yourself; this alone will require short-term costs, but will lead to long-term benefits.
-People constantly go through changes. The fact of the matter is that regardless if you plan an active role in your own personal development, you are constantly developing and changing as an individual. Everyone is on their own type of personal development path, but the difference is that some people take more control over their own destiny than other people do.
-Your own thoughts are important. At times we consider our own thoughts to be inconsequential and immaterial; however, that couldn't more untrue. The way in which you think will strongly influence your actions, and this can ultimately determine what you get from life.
-Habits are very important to personal development. Much like the way you work to change your thoughts, you should also constantly work toward exploring new habits. Think of it like this - if you always do the same things day in and day out, things will never change. At times, you won't know the best course of action until you have tried other things. So, if you allow it, personal development can be used to create habits that lead to success.
-Your place of power is the present moment. Each conscious decision that you make or action you take happens in the present moment. The truth is that the more aware you are of the present, the more control you will have over your daily actions.
-Learn from past experiences. Even though you cannot change the past, what you can do is look back at it and learn from the successes and mistakes contained therein.
-Constantly remain optimistic about your future. Although you will never be certain about where your future will take you, if you remain hopeful and optimistic, then you will allow yourself to act in ways to make this reality. Most times optimism is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
It is difficult to sum the entire personal development movement into one article, but the key concepts discussed above can help you through your own development process. The one thing you must remember is that personal development isn't an idea that can be absorbed or learned in just one day. In reality, this is a process that never ends, as your life is constantly changing, which leaves you with new and improved ways to act and think.
Personal Development's Importance in Life
As you can see, if you are a person who wants to grow and change for the better during your life, then you should be on a path of personal development and you will most likely achieve it. However, on the other hand, there are many people out there who still do not understand the importance of striving for personal development, and they tend to live unfulfilled lives. The truth is that those who seek to make themselves better, generally keep a more positive outlook and attitude towards life. This friendly attitude can be a welcome for others, which leaves you open to a life full of opportunities. On the other hand, someone who is not concerned with personal development can carry around a negative attitude and outlook on life that can begin to pour over into other areas.
In the end, personal development is essentially about making positive changes. To accomplish this you will need to find the resources necessary for change to help you set goals, move past obstacles and eventually find happiness. However, just bear in mind that it does not matter what part of yourself that you are trying to change, this change will not happen overnight. Instead, you will need to remain persistent and use all of your willpower to help yourself improve. Although this will be a difficult period at the beginning, you will be developing yourself for a lifetime. In other words, you will obtain forever change that is well worth the effort!
Article Source
Personal development has played an extensive role in history, as it has influenced many cultures through the course of history. Such cultures are that have been affected are: Western and Eastern religions, Ancient Greek philosophy, Psychoanalysis, Gestalt therapy, Humanistic Psychology, Existentialism and Hypnotherapy.
Currently, there are many theories and concepts in personal development that have started to undergo scientific testing in the realms of Clinical psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Neuroscience and Positive Psychology. Yet, before you get started, understand that there are many assumptions associated with this topic. The following information will give you a good oversight at some of the most important assumptions that you need to know if you are seeking to personally develop yourself.
Personal Development's Common Assumptions
Before we get started describing the assumptions, it's important that you keep in mind the fact that you are responsible for the way in which you live your life. Those traveling down the personal development road understand that their actions and thoughts play an enormous role in how life turns out.
-Define exactly what it is that you want, before you begin trying to achieve it. There are a lot of people who go aimlessly through life, never having a clear path mapped out. However, ultimately, before you are able to achieve life's values, you must realize them.
-Long-term benefits can be achieved through short-term costs. Trying to change one's life is not a cake walk. On the other hand, real change takes effort and failure. No one will present you with a blueprint or magic pills to follow. You must be willing to invest and believe in yourself; this alone will require short-term costs, but will lead to long-term benefits.
-People constantly go through changes. The fact of the matter is that regardless if you plan an active role in your own personal development, you are constantly developing and changing as an individual. Everyone is on their own type of personal development path, but the difference is that some people take more control over their own destiny than other people do.
-Your own thoughts are important. At times we consider our own thoughts to be inconsequential and immaterial; however, that couldn't more untrue. The way in which you think will strongly influence your actions, and this can ultimately determine what you get from life.
-Habits are very important to personal development. Much like the way you work to change your thoughts, you should also constantly work toward exploring new habits. Think of it like this - if you always do the same things day in and day out, things will never change. At times, you won't know the best course of action until you have tried other things. So, if you allow it, personal development can be used to create habits that lead to success.
-Your place of power is the present moment. Each conscious decision that you make or action you take happens in the present moment. The truth is that the more aware you are of the present, the more control you will have over your daily actions.
-Learn from past experiences. Even though you cannot change the past, what you can do is look back at it and learn from the successes and mistakes contained therein.
-Constantly remain optimistic about your future. Although you will never be certain about where your future will take you, if you remain hopeful and optimistic, then you will allow yourself to act in ways to make this reality. Most times optimism is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
It is difficult to sum the entire personal development movement into one article, but the key concepts discussed above can help you through your own development process. The one thing you must remember is that personal development isn't an idea that can be absorbed or learned in just one day. In reality, this is a process that never ends, as your life is constantly changing, which leaves you with new and improved ways to act and think.
Personal Development's Importance in Life
As you can see, if you are a person who wants to grow and change for the better during your life, then you should be on a path of personal development and you will most likely achieve it. However, on the other hand, there are many people out there who still do not understand the importance of striving for personal development, and they tend to live unfulfilled lives. The truth is that those who seek to make themselves better, generally keep a more positive outlook and attitude towards life. This friendly attitude can be a welcome for others, which leaves you open to a life full of opportunities. On the other hand, someone who is not concerned with personal development can carry around a negative attitude and outlook on life that can begin to pour over into other areas.
In the end, personal development is essentially about making positive changes. To accomplish this you will need to find the resources necessary for change to help you set goals, move past obstacles and eventually find happiness. However, just bear in mind that it does not matter what part of yourself that you are trying to change, this change will not happen overnight. Instead, you will need to remain persistent and use all of your willpower to help yourself improve. Although this will be a difficult period at the beginning, you will be developing yourself for a lifetime. In other words, you will obtain forever change that is well worth the effort!
Article Source
Thursday, 26 October 2017
The Importance Of Good Personal Development Plan
Creating a personal development plan is as important to your success as creating a business plan is to the success of a company.
"Planning is bringing the future into the present
so that you can do something about it now"
- Alan Lakein
Your personal development plan is the roadmap that you are going to use to become the person that you want to be. The key is to take developing a personal plan step-by-step.
Step 1: Decide who you want to be - This isn't just about a career; this is about your life. Do you want a powerful spiritual life? Do you want to be a huge success in your career? Do you want to be a parent? Do you want to retire at 50? Do you want to have a one year vacation every five years? These are the decision you need to make to have a complete personal development plan.
Step 2: Figure your timeline for each of things on your list that you want to do, while you're developing your personal plan. If you are 45, your timeline will be very different than if you are 25. If you want to be a doctor, you will need to get started sooner than some other careers because it takes longer. If you want to start your own dog walking business, you can be working tomorrow. Honest timelines are an important part of your personal development plan.
Your Personal Development Plan on Paper
Step 3 will be where you start developing your personal development plan and putting things on paper. This is also where you will separate needs from wishes and wishes from dreams.
If you have a debilitating fear of commitment, you really will need to address that before you can do anything else. Mainly because you need to commit to this plan.
If you still have issues with your parents that you carry around, you are going to need to handle them. You can't write the chapters of your future until you stop re-reading the chapters of the past.
If you want to own a G-6, that's great but there are a few steps in between. Each step doesn't need to be spelled out while you're developing your personal plan, but it should be implied.
Making Your Personal Development Plan Work
After you have figured out what you want to do, then next step in developing your personal plan is find the resources you need to make it happen.
If you want to be a doctor, but you don't yet have your high school diploma, then you will need to get a GED.
If you want a deep spiritual life, then you will need to explore until you have found the right path for you.
This is a Personal Development Plan, not an 'Already Completed Snapshot.' Don't get discouraged if it seems like there is a lot to do. That's precisely why you are developing your personal plan with a timeline longer than "NOW!"
Find mentors - If your goal is to make money as a blogger, find someone who can show you a method for doing precisely that. (I know someone who is doing precisely that. [Shameless self-promotion alert!]) If your goal is to be a veterinarian, stop by your local animal hospital. You get the idea. Find someone who is already successful at doing what you want to do and make them part of your personal development plan.
A quick note - Your personal development plan contains absolutely nothing unique. I know we all want to be unique and we are, but someone has already done what you are hoping to do. Find them and find out how they did it. You don't make a triangular wheel just to be different.
Find resources - There are literally millions of books, websites and pamphlets that can guide you through your personal development plan. If it is spirituality you seek, you will find billions of resources. Follow your heart as long as you follow your plan. And don't cling to any one resource while you're developing your personal plan. It's personal, after all, so no one source but you is perfect for the job.
Tell everyone - Tell people about your personal development plan. If you keep it secret, it is much easier to slip from the plan. Post it to your Facebook page, your blog or on LinkedIn. Show family members and friends while you are developing your personal plan. In fact, you might inspire others to do the same.
Get someone to hold you to it - A best friend, spouse or work partner should have a copy of your personal development plan. Let them be a part of developing your personal plan. They have permission to nag you incessantly. They can pick on you and call you out in public until you move your plan forward. Knowing that someone is a part of developing your personal plan with will make it that much harder to procrastinate.
Your success is as important to the people around as it is to you. Everyone who understands how the world works wants you to succeed.
I want you to succeed and I believe your personal development plan is a huge part of that.
Your success means that you have more wealth and resources to buy more things, contribute to the economy and raise the quality of life for all of us.
Start today and don't look back.
Stay consistent with your plan.
Don't Quit!!
Share your story with the world because you have a great story.
It's up to you to make a difference in the lives of others.
Create your personal development plan TODAY!
Article Source
"Planning is bringing the future into the present
so that you can do something about it now"
- Alan Lakein
Your personal development plan is the roadmap that you are going to use to become the person that you want to be. The key is to take developing a personal plan step-by-step.
Step 1: Decide who you want to be - This isn't just about a career; this is about your life. Do you want a powerful spiritual life? Do you want to be a huge success in your career? Do you want to be a parent? Do you want to retire at 50? Do you want to have a one year vacation every five years? These are the decision you need to make to have a complete personal development plan.
Step 2: Figure your timeline for each of things on your list that you want to do, while you're developing your personal plan. If you are 45, your timeline will be very different than if you are 25. If you want to be a doctor, you will need to get started sooner than some other careers because it takes longer. If you want to start your own dog walking business, you can be working tomorrow. Honest timelines are an important part of your personal development plan.
Your Personal Development Plan on Paper
Step 3 will be where you start developing your personal development plan and putting things on paper. This is also where you will separate needs from wishes and wishes from dreams.
If you have a debilitating fear of commitment, you really will need to address that before you can do anything else. Mainly because you need to commit to this plan.
If you still have issues with your parents that you carry around, you are going to need to handle them. You can't write the chapters of your future until you stop re-reading the chapters of the past.
If you want to own a G-6, that's great but there are a few steps in between. Each step doesn't need to be spelled out while you're developing your personal plan, but it should be implied.
Making Your Personal Development Plan Work
After you have figured out what you want to do, then next step in developing your personal plan is find the resources you need to make it happen.
If you want to be a doctor, but you don't yet have your high school diploma, then you will need to get a GED.
If you want a deep spiritual life, then you will need to explore until you have found the right path for you.
This is a Personal Development Plan, not an 'Already Completed Snapshot.' Don't get discouraged if it seems like there is a lot to do. That's precisely why you are developing your personal plan with a timeline longer than "NOW!"
Find mentors - If your goal is to make money as a blogger, find someone who can show you a method for doing precisely that. (I know someone who is doing precisely that. [Shameless self-promotion alert!]) If your goal is to be a veterinarian, stop by your local animal hospital. You get the idea. Find someone who is already successful at doing what you want to do and make them part of your personal development plan.
A quick note - Your personal development plan contains absolutely nothing unique. I know we all want to be unique and we are, but someone has already done what you are hoping to do. Find them and find out how they did it. You don't make a triangular wheel just to be different.
Find resources - There are literally millions of books, websites and pamphlets that can guide you through your personal development plan. If it is spirituality you seek, you will find billions of resources. Follow your heart as long as you follow your plan. And don't cling to any one resource while you're developing your personal plan. It's personal, after all, so no one source but you is perfect for the job.
Tell everyone - Tell people about your personal development plan. If you keep it secret, it is much easier to slip from the plan. Post it to your Facebook page, your blog or on LinkedIn. Show family members and friends while you are developing your personal plan. In fact, you might inspire others to do the same.
Get someone to hold you to it - A best friend, spouse or work partner should have a copy of your personal development plan. Let them be a part of developing your personal plan. They have permission to nag you incessantly. They can pick on you and call you out in public until you move your plan forward. Knowing that someone is a part of developing your personal plan with will make it that much harder to procrastinate.
Your success is as important to the people around as it is to you. Everyone who understands how the world works wants you to succeed.
I want you to succeed and I believe your personal development plan is a huge part of that.
Your success means that you have more wealth and resources to buy more things, contribute to the economy and raise the quality of life for all of us.
Start today and don't look back.
Stay consistent with your plan.
Don't Quit!!
Share your story with the world because you have a great story.
It's up to you to make a difference in the lives of others.
Create your personal development plan TODAY!
Article Source
Wednesday, 25 October 2017
Personal Development & Growth
It is not uncommon, for the terms, personal development and growth, to be met with a certain amount of sighing and an expression of 'been there done that'! We've been learning about the idea since we were in school and we've been working on it since forever. So, what is going to be different about this one?
Well, for starters I am not going to be talking about the conventional idea. Secondly, I am a believer of skill development. If it isn't taking you ahead, it doesn't matter. Whatever the subject, it needs to add value. Otherwise, it belongs in the bin. So let's familiarise ourselves with what actually goes into the whole process of personal development and growth.
Understanding Personal Development and Growth
1. It refers to the accumulation of life skills that help a person to live a productive and satisfying life.
2. PERSONAL Development and PERSONALITY Development are two very different things!
3. When we talk about personal development, we are essentially talking about achieving success. It could be professional or personal.
4. It involves setting attainable goals and using problem solving strategies that will help you attain growth.
A very crucial point is, Personal development, unlike personality development, cannot be inculcated. It cannot be given to you in a beautifully wrapped gift basket or as a 4 week program! You are your only hope as far as personal development is concerned.
This is because it is a lifelong process. With every new hurdle, you will pick up a new skill and that skill will lead to more growth and development. Although there is no set path on how to achieve personal development (since it is subjective), I will point out the activities that it entails.
Markers for Personal Development & Growth
1. Improved self-awareness
You gain a better understanding of yourself. Your strength, weakness, abilities and also what is beyond your capabilities.
2. Greater self-knowledge
It is one thing to be aware and a totally different thing to know. When we undertake personal development, we have the opportunity to get to know ourselves better. Because the truth is, we know practically nothing about ourselves. Others know more than we do! So it is important that we find out more about ourselves.
3. Learning new skills
You will pick up new skills, related to your work or even to your personal life. There is an enhancement of our skill set and we become proficient in more ways.
4. Improving existing skills
It is not always about learning new things. Every now and then, the armour which is already in the arsenal needs to be sharpened. You already learnt so much over the years. Now, get on to making them better.
5. Setting better targets
99% of the times, we fail to achieve our targets because we set unrealistic ones. There is no shame in failing, but it is stupid to set a bar that is beyond one's imagination to reach. So in order to develop, we must make it a habit to set short term, achievable goals.
6. Identifying potential
I am talking about those hidden talents. Maybe even suppressed talents. All of us have a truckload of those. It is essential to bring them out of the closet.
Remember, we can never be the best version of ourselves, until and unless we are doing what we love to do. You may also have some skills that you didn't know about! We"ll be even better! Time to bring those to the forefront.
7. Improving Social Skills
This is not only for the socially awkward. If you are someone who gets uncomfortable in social situations, then no doubt, personal development will help you to become more open and comfortable.
But also people who are absolutely comfortable in social situations, the question is, "Are you interesting enough to spend time with?" Find out. Get to know everything about the person you are and compare it with the person you think you are. The results may just astound you!
8. Personal Autonomy
In simple words, making a decision and executing it, without outside influence. You are the captain of your ship and nobody knows how to sail it better than you. There is a sense of independence that comes from personal development. The rule is simple. Eye on the prize.
Personal development and growth are not something you can measure in quantifiable units always. But the measurement in my view is simple.
Ask yourself, "Am I better than I was yesterday? Or am I still the same old?" The answer will determine the outcome of your decisions. So keep that on. Don't always consider success as the only marker. Success is a great marker, but definitely not the only one. You are much more than your last success and your next failure.
Be your own champion.
The Silver Lining
Visit my website on the above link to post any questions on how to improve ones well-being/relationships/career/finances and more, and receive free advice from the best healers, life coaches and other wellness experts. You can also explore, discover, and schedule a session (face to face, telephonic, or online) with a wellness expert of your choice.
Article Source
Well, for starters I am not going to be talking about the conventional idea. Secondly, I am a believer of skill development. If it isn't taking you ahead, it doesn't matter. Whatever the subject, it needs to add value. Otherwise, it belongs in the bin. So let's familiarise ourselves with what actually goes into the whole process of personal development and growth.
Understanding Personal Development and Growth
1. It refers to the accumulation of life skills that help a person to live a productive and satisfying life.
2. PERSONAL Development and PERSONALITY Development are two very different things!
3. When we talk about personal development, we are essentially talking about achieving success. It could be professional or personal.
4. It involves setting attainable goals and using problem solving strategies that will help you attain growth.
A very crucial point is, Personal development, unlike personality development, cannot be inculcated. It cannot be given to you in a beautifully wrapped gift basket or as a 4 week program! You are your only hope as far as personal development is concerned.
This is because it is a lifelong process. With every new hurdle, you will pick up a new skill and that skill will lead to more growth and development. Although there is no set path on how to achieve personal development (since it is subjective), I will point out the activities that it entails.
Markers for Personal Development & Growth
1. Improved self-awareness
You gain a better understanding of yourself. Your strength, weakness, abilities and also what is beyond your capabilities.
2. Greater self-knowledge
It is one thing to be aware and a totally different thing to know. When we undertake personal development, we have the opportunity to get to know ourselves better. Because the truth is, we know practically nothing about ourselves. Others know more than we do! So it is important that we find out more about ourselves.
3. Learning new skills
You will pick up new skills, related to your work or even to your personal life. There is an enhancement of our skill set and we become proficient in more ways.
4. Improving existing skills
It is not always about learning new things. Every now and then, the armour which is already in the arsenal needs to be sharpened. You already learnt so much over the years. Now, get on to making them better.
5. Setting better targets
99% of the times, we fail to achieve our targets because we set unrealistic ones. There is no shame in failing, but it is stupid to set a bar that is beyond one's imagination to reach. So in order to develop, we must make it a habit to set short term, achievable goals.
6. Identifying potential
I am talking about those hidden talents. Maybe even suppressed talents. All of us have a truckload of those. It is essential to bring them out of the closet.
Remember, we can never be the best version of ourselves, until and unless we are doing what we love to do. You may also have some skills that you didn't know about! We"ll be even better! Time to bring those to the forefront.
7. Improving Social Skills
This is not only for the socially awkward. If you are someone who gets uncomfortable in social situations, then no doubt, personal development will help you to become more open and comfortable.
But also people who are absolutely comfortable in social situations, the question is, "Are you interesting enough to spend time with?" Find out. Get to know everything about the person you are and compare it with the person you think you are. The results may just astound you!
8. Personal Autonomy
In simple words, making a decision and executing it, without outside influence. You are the captain of your ship and nobody knows how to sail it better than you. There is a sense of independence that comes from personal development. The rule is simple. Eye on the prize.
Personal development and growth are not something you can measure in quantifiable units always. But the measurement in my view is simple.
Ask yourself, "Am I better than I was yesterday? Or am I still the same old?" The answer will determine the outcome of your decisions. So keep that on. Don't always consider success as the only marker. Success is a great marker, but definitely not the only one. You are much more than your last success and your next failure.
Be your own champion.
The Silver Lining
Visit my website on the above link to post any questions on how to improve ones well-being/relationships/career/finances and more, and receive free advice from the best healers, life coaches and other wellness experts. You can also explore, discover, and schedule a session (face to face, telephonic, or online) with a wellness expert of your choice.
Article Source
Tuesday, 24 October 2017
Performance Appraisal and Personal Development - The Unholy Alliance
There is currently an increasing emphasis on maximum performance from each individual in organisations. At the same time there is a corresponding concern as to how to achieve this in a way which is effective and focused for the organisation, and motivating and constructive for each employee.
In most organisations the assessment process take the form of an annual performance appraisal review between the manager and the employee. This interview provides the opportunity for a full and frank discussion about the individual's job performance for the previous 12 months, and for both parties to agree the key performance and development issues resulting from the discussion. These issues normally include updated performance measures, new personal objectives, and the delivery of training and personal development plans.
Whether appraiser and appraisee admit it or not, pay is also an important part of the agenda, and in the future it will become even more so, as remuneration becomes increasingly performance-related.
However, the irony of the current situation is that whilst Performance Appraisal is being undertaken by many organisations with a fresh urgency and focus, feedback from managers and employees suggest that very little is being achieved. In fact, current Performance Appraisal procedures seem to excite most staff to a level comparable to a visit to the dentist!
Why? Surely an organisationaly-supported discussion which gives managers and employees the opportunity to discuss their views and ideas on critical work issues like performance, pay, and career development should only benefit both.
What Is Going Wrong?
There are a number of key issues which organisations need to urgently review:
- unclear and unreviewed job roles
- 'woolly' or ill-defined performance measures
- inconsistent and unimaginative pay and performance policies
- 'wayward' and frankly inconsiderate interpersonal skills on the part of the managers.
However, the most critical factor requiring a complete re-think is that of a personal development planning forming an integral part of the Performance Appraisal Discussion.
For the majority of employees, the Annual Appraisal Meeting is still the only time that their career path and personal development will be discussed in any detail with their manager.
Many employees complain that their personal agenda of career development, job satisfaction and personal development is just 'tacked-on' to the Performance Appraisal discussion, and in an atmosphere where all too often subjective options about performance are being expressed and a pay award is up for grabs?? Not easy.
So why is the atmosphere of the Performance Appraisal meeting not at all appropriate for Personal Development Discussions? Because the emphasis and focus of each should be different.
Performance Appraisal
- Manager led
- Results based
- Past performance
- Organisational needs
- Pay/Compensation related
- Judgmental
Development Discussion
- Employee led
- Skills/Talents based
- Future growth
- Individuals' needs
- Career related
- Developmental
Performance and pay cannot be sensibly discussed alongside growth and development. The danger is that the shorter term pay issue will always cloud the longer term development issue. The development issue, which is actually of greater long-term benefit, will always come a poor second.
Organisations must recognise and signal that employee success is not just about past performance, it's as much about their future personal development.
So What Is The Remedy?
1. Personal career and development planning requires the same organisational priority as performance management, assessment techniques, training and compensation. It needs to stand alone as an essential piece of personnel practice in its own right.
2. The view that career development can only be measured in promotional terms has to be put into perspective. The stark reality is that 'right-sizing' will preclude promotion for an ever-increasing number of employees. Organisations and employees need to accept this and redefine the meaning of success at work.
3. Each employee must be taught how to take responsibility for their personal growth and development. They need time and encouragement to prepare a regular personal development agenda for discussion with their manager.
4. Growth and development should concentrate on an individual's personal skills and talents, particularly those which individuals want to use more and are also crucial to job success. The result is a win/win for the individual and employer.
5. People's growth and development will require more flexible organisational job structures where new responsibilities, assignments and projects will provide the opportunities for personal growth.
Recent research has shown again and again that growth and development are amongst the top motivational issues for employees today. To increase corporate performance the personal development issue must be tackled as a strategic issue.
Employees must be given quality time and opportunity to discuss with their manager their development and growth plans and aspirations. They also need a means to achieve this.
Just as Performance Appraisal never works in the hands of untrained managers so it is with Personal Development Discussions. They simply won't happen unless Managers are trained to handle them effectively.
Performance Appraisal Meetings and Personal Development Discussions are essential for any organisation wishing to increase performance, maintain motivation and retain their staff. Both activities are ultimately inter-dependent and interrelated, yet with an emphasis and focus which are different.
Performance Appraisal discussions should focus primarily on 'how effectively did you perform against the objectives which we discussed and agreed, and what needs to be done to improve performance in the coming year?'
Personal Development Discussions should focus primarily on 'what actions do you feel need to be taken to make your job more satisfying, and to make greater and more effective use of your talents and skills?'
There is a 'wind of change' blowing which recognises that individuals hold the key to organisational success. Individuals will provide the organisation with increased performance if the organisation provides the individual with real opportunities for personal development and growth. Organisations won't grow if the individuals within them are not growing.
The message is clear. Personal Development has outgrown Performance Appraisal; it now stands as its equal and must be treated separately.
Article Source
In most organisations the assessment process take the form of an annual performance appraisal review between the manager and the employee. This interview provides the opportunity for a full and frank discussion about the individual's job performance for the previous 12 months, and for both parties to agree the key performance and development issues resulting from the discussion. These issues normally include updated performance measures, new personal objectives, and the delivery of training and personal development plans.
Whether appraiser and appraisee admit it or not, pay is also an important part of the agenda, and in the future it will become even more so, as remuneration becomes increasingly performance-related.
However, the irony of the current situation is that whilst Performance Appraisal is being undertaken by many organisations with a fresh urgency and focus, feedback from managers and employees suggest that very little is being achieved. In fact, current Performance Appraisal procedures seem to excite most staff to a level comparable to a visit to the dentist!
Why? Surely an organisationaly-supported discussion which gives managers and employees the opportunity to discuss their views and ideas on critical work issues like performance, pay, and career development should only benefit both.
What Is Going Wrong?
There are a number of key issues which organisations need to urgently review:
- unclear and unreviewed job roles
- 'woolly' or ill-defined performance measures
- inconsistent and unimaginative pay and performance policies
- 'wayward' and frankly inconsiderate interpersonal skills on the part of the managers.
However, the most critical factor requiring a complete re-think is that of a personal development planning forming an integral part of the Performance Appraisal Discussion.
For the majority of employees, the Annual Appraisal Meeting is still the only time that their career path and personal development will be discussed in any detail with their manager.
Many employees complain that their personal agenda of career development, job satisfaction and personal development is just 'tacked-on' to the Performance Appraisal discussion, and in an atmosphere where all too often subjective options about performance are being expressed and a pay award is up for grabs?? Not easy.
So why is the atmosphere of the Performance Appraisal meeting not at all appropriate for Personal Development Discussions? Because the emphasis and focus of each should be different.
Performance Appraisal
- Manager led
- Results based
- Past performance
- Organisational needs
- Pay/Compensation related
- Judgmental
Development Discussion
- Employee led
- Skills/Talents based
- Future growth
- Individuals' needs
- Career related
- Developmental
Performance and pay cannot be sensibly discussed alongside growth and development. The danger is that the shorter term pay issue will always cloud the longer term development issue. The development issue, which is actually of greater long-term benefit, will always come a poor second.
Organisations must recognise and signal that employee success is not just about past performance, it's as much about their future personal development.
So What Is The Remedy?
1. Personal career and development planning requires the same organisational priority as performance management, assessment techniques, training and compensation. It needs to stand alone as an essential piece of personnel practice in its own right.
2. The view that career development can only be measured in promotional terms has to be put into perspective. The stark reality is that 'right-sizing' will preclude promotion for an ever-increasing number of employees. Organisations and employees need to accept this and redefine the meaning of success at work.
3. Each employee must be taught how to take responsibility for their personal growth and development. They need time and encouragement to prepare a regular personal development agenda for discussion with their manager.
4. Growth and development should concentrate on an individual's personal skills and talents, particularly those which individuals want to use more and are also crucial to job success. The result is a win/win for the individual and employer.
5. People's growth and development will require more flexible organisational job structures where new responsibilities, assignments and projects will provide the opportunities for personal growth.
Recent research has shown again and again that growth and development are amongst the top motivational issues for employees today. To increase corporate performance the personal development issue must be tackled as a strategic issue.
Employees must be given quality time and opportunity to discuss with their manager their development and growth plans and aspirations. They also need a means to achieve this.
Just as Performance Appraisal never works in the hands of untrained managers so it is with Personal Development Discussions. They simply won't happen unless Managers are trained to handle them effectively.
Performance Appraisal Meetings and Personal Development Discussions are essential for any organisation wishing to increase performance, maintain motivation and retain their staff. Both activities are ultimately inter-dependent and interrelated, yet with an emphasis and focus which are different.
Performance Appraisal discussions should focus primarily on 'how effectively did you perform against the objectives which we discussed and agreed, and what needs to be done to improve performance in the coming year?'
Personal Development Discussions should focus primarily on 'what actions do you feel need to be taken to make your job more satisfying, and to make greater and more effective use of your talents and skills?'
There is a 'wind of change' blowing which recognises that individuals hold the key to organisational success. Individuals will provide the organisation with increased performance if the organisation provides the individual with real opportunities for personal development and growth. Organisations won't grow if the individuals within them are not growing.
The message is clear. Personal Development has outgrown Performance Appraisal; it now stands as its equal and must be treated separately.
Article Source
Monday, 23 October 2017
What Is Personal Development?
Here's a Brief Overview
Personal Development, means different things to different people. Ultimately personal development is about focusing your attention on developing or refining your skills, abilities, attitude, and awareness for personal goal. As a category Personal development covers various areas of human activity and can be applied to business and financial growth. Socially Personal development can be applied to improving social relationship, with friend's family or colleagues, partners, employees.
Personal Development in a Nut shell
If you wish to achieve worthwhile things in your personal and career life, you must become a worthwhile person in your own personal development.
Brian Tracy
To sum up personal development in a sentence, you can say personal development is about identifying challenges, finding solutions and integrating the answers or right course of action or behaviour into your daily life or business. Personal development is about making effective change in yourself or company procedures to better deal with the environment.
"Believe that you possess a basic goodness, which is the foundation for the greatness you can ultimately achieve." Les Brown
Value oriented aspects
Many of the value oriented aspects of personal development boarders the realm's of spirituality were the individuals attention maybe focused on developing better social and environmentally relationships, achieving personal self mastery's over ones actions, as in behavioural changes or over coming limitations, at this level, persistence, inquisitiveness, study and self discipline are common themes. Professionally personal development may include such themes as personal mastery and communication, developing leadership skills etc.
In general personal development is about a cultivating a progressive attitude, studying/learning and applying appropriate success formulas or principles, whether as companies or individual. Much of the study of person development comes from the researching of people who have made significant growth, personally or in business.
Success leaves clues.
The early founders of the modern day form of personal development have studied and catalogued the process of success and achievement. They have made considerable progress in documenting the process of personal success as a science. Napoleon Hill is arguably the forefather of modern day personal development. He laid the foundations for our current generation of researchers, practitioner and coaches, such as the superstar Anthony Robbins
The following are some of the general themes in Personal Development
Developing or renewing identity
Fulfilling aspirations/Realizing dreams
Behavioural change/conditioning
Developing motivation - inspiration
Improving self-awareness
Enhancing lifestyle or the quality of life
Improving your employability
Identifying and investing in ones potential
Financial development
Developing strengths or talents
Personal and professional mastery - Learning techniques or methods to gain
Control of one's life
Entrepreneurial
Improving self-knowledge
Developing personal development plans
Increasing awareness or defining of one's chosen lifestyle
Integrating social identity with self-identification
Increasing awareness or defining of one's priorities
Developing purpose
Increasing awareness or defining of one's values
Developing purpose
Love
Increasing awareness or defining of one's ethics
Strategies and realizing dreams, aspirations, career and lifestyle priorities
Developing personal discipline
Personal development goal/ material attainment
Developing professional potential
Developing talents
Developing integrity
Goal setting
Developing individual competencies
Becoming more caring
How to learn from experience
Time management
Developing mature interpersonal relationships
Establishing identity
Improving the quality of lifestyle (in such areas as health, wealth, culture,
family, friends and communities)
Learning techniques or methods to expand awareness
Developing competence
Achieving autonomy and interdependence
Self mastery
Managing emotions
Learning techniques or methods to achieve wisdom
Communication skills
Personal development philosophically practice
Personal development may also be applied to the following disciplines, either in practice metaphorically or philosophically
Yoga
Meditation
Qi gong
Juggling
Martial arts
The altruistic aspects of personal development
Some of the more altruistic elements of personal development have Parallels with some of the world's spiritual tradition. A good example would be, The Eightfold Path of Buddhism which focus on the development of skills such as:
Right View
Right Intention
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration
Check out the Parallels
Right View this can be a likened to, open mindedness, beliefs, continual learning of techniques or methods to expand awareness, thoughtfulness.
Right Intention this can be a likened to defining of one's values or the effort to develop mutually beneficial relationships for the general and greater good.
Right Intentions form a personal development point of view this can be seen as increasing your awareness of your actions and adjusting them for the greater good.
Right Speech, from a personal development view this would be Communication skills. Communications skills may also include your internal dialogue as in positive speech.
Right Action, this can be seen as exercising consideration, personal integrity, exercising wisdom.
Right Livelihood, this would have a relation to lifestyle as I'm enhancing one's quality of life, career, and working in an ethical line of employment etc.
Right Effort, this would relate to discipline commitment
determination persistence.
Right Mindfulness, can be a likened to thoughtfulness consideration...
... And finally
Right Concentration, can be a likened to clarity, focus, exercising discipline of thoughts.
So where do you start? And what does it take?
Define an area of life you would like to work on...
1 create a vision
2 make a plan
3 action your plan
Commit to daily actions targeted towards change
Find a system or programme to facilitate your growth, in some cases this may mean reading the related material, books, websites blogs, in other cases this my mean joining the related clubs or taking courses etc. The main point is to develop a self image complementary to your goal/vision.
Their are no instant solutions, quick fixes or magic formulas to personal development - personal growth other then an awareness for the need for personal growth and the desire to grow. Granted that the two above conditions are meet - an awareness of the need for personal growth - and the desire to grow, you will be able to find success with the following tools:
Commitment,
Discipline,
persistence
inquisitiveness
These tools will make a nice starter in your chosen area of personal development/growth.
The Creative Power within us makes us into the image of that to which we give our attention."
Wallace Delois Wattles
Here are two typical examples of a personal development exercise:
Example one
Renewing self images
First in order to realise success in you chosen area of personal development / growth. You need to do two things invest some time to identify and define an area you would like to develop ie you want a promotion
Developing an image of yourself in your finish or ideal state/position -
What you're going to look like
How are you going to feel?
How will you be acting?
Develop you're new self image daily
Example two
The following is an extract from Napoleon hill think and grow rich, Hill is describing the six steps needed to develop what he calls the burning desire needed to drive a person to the accomplishment of their goals. In this example the steps relate to money but with creative editing this formula can be applied to any area of goal attainment.
"First. Fix in your mind the exact amount of money you desire. It is not sufficient merely to say, "I want plenty of money." Be definite as to the amount. (There is a psychological reason for definiteness, which will be described in a subsequent chapter). See book Think and grow rich napoleon Hill
Second. Determine exactly what you intend to give in return for the money you desire. (There is no such reality as "something for nothing.)
Third. Establish a definite date when you intend to possess the money you desire.
Fourth. Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire, and begin at once, whether you are ready or not to put this plan into action.
Fifth. Write out a clear, concise statement of the amount of money you intend to acquire, name the time limit for its acquisition, state what you intend to give in return for the money, and describe clearly the plan through which you intend to accumulate it.
Sixth. Read your written statement aloud, twice daily, once just before retiring at night, and once after arising in the morning.
Napoleon Hill's 13 Success Principles are;
Desire, Faith, Auto-Suggestion, Specialized Knowledge, Imagination, Organised Planning, Decision, Persistence, the Master Mind, Transmutation, the Subconscious Mind, the Brain and the Sixth Sense
Think and grow rich by Napoleon Hill is a must have work -Think and grow rich is over flowing with valuable knowledge
All that man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thougths."
Article Source
Personal Development, means different things to different people. Ultimately personal development is about focusing your attention on developing or refining your skills, abilities, attitude, and awareness for personal goal. As a category Personal development covers various areas of human activity and can be applied to business and financial growth. Socially Personal development can be applied to improving social relationship, with friend's family or colleagues, partners, employees.
Personal Development in a Nut shell
If you wish to achieve worthwhile things in your personal and career life, you must become a worthwhile person in your own personal development.
Brian Tracy
To sum up personal development in a sentence, you can say personal development is about identifying challenges, finding solutions and integrating the answers or right course of action or behaviour into your daily life or business. Personal development is about making effective change in yourself or company procedures to better deal with the environment.
"Believe that you possess a basic goodness, which is the foundation for the greatness you can ultimately achieve." Les Brown
Value oriented aspects
Many of the value oriented aspects of personal development boarders the realm's of spirituality were the individuals attention maybe focused on developing better social and environmentally relationships, achieving personal self mastery's over ones actions, as in behavioural changes or over coming limitations, at this level, persistence, inquisitiveness, study and self discipline are common themes. Professionally personal development may include such themes as personal mastery and communication, developing leadership skills etc.
In general personal development is about a cultivating a progressive attitude, studying/learning and applying appropriate success formulas or principles, whether as companies or individual. Much of the study of person development comes from the researching of people who have made significant growth, personally or in business.
Success leaves clues.
The early founders of the modern day form of personal development have studied and catalogued the process of success and achievement. They have made considerable progress in documenting the process of personal success as a science. Napoleon Hill is arguably the forefather of modern day personal development. He laid the foundations for our current generation of researchers, practitioner and coaches, such as the superstar Anthony Robbins
The following are some of the general themes in Personal Development
Developing or renewing identity
Fulfilling aspirations/Realizing dreams
Behavioural change/conditioning
Developing motivation - inspiration
Improving self-awareness
Enhancing lifestyle or the quality of life
Improving your employability
Identifying and investing in ones potential
Financial development
Developing strengths or talents
Personal and professional mastery - Learning techniques or methods to gain
Control of one's life
Entrepreneurial
Improving self-knowledge
Developing personal development plans
Increasing awareness or defining of one's chosen lifestyle
Integrating social identity with self-identification
Increasing awareness or defining of one's priorities
Developing purpose
Increasing awareness or defining of one's values
Developing purpose
Love
Increasing awareness or defining of one's ethics
Strategies and realizing dreams, aspirations, career and lifestyle priorities
Developing personal discipline
Personal development goal/ material attainment
Developing professional potential
Developing talents
Developing integrity
Goal setting
Developing individual competencies
Becoming more caring
How to learn from experience
Time management
Developing mature interpersonal relationships
Establishing identity
Improving the quality of lifestyle (in such areas as health, wealth, culture,
family, friends and communities)
Learning techniques or methods to expand awareness
Developing competence
Achieving autonomy and interdependence
Self mastery
Managing emotions
Learning techniques or methods to achieve wisdom
Communication skills
Personal development philosophically practice
Personal development may also be applied to the following disciplines, either in practice metaphorically or philosophically
Yoga
Meditation
Qi gong
Juggling
Martial arts
The altruistic aspects of personal development
Some of the more altruistic elements of personal development have Parallels with some of the world's spiritual tradition. A good example would be, The Eightfold Path of Buddhism which focus on the development of skills such as:
Right View
Right Intention
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration
Check out the Parallels
Right View this can be a likened to, open mindedness, beliefs, continual learning of techniques or methods to expand awareness, thoughtfulness.
Right Intention this can be a likened to defining of one's values or the effort to develop mutually beneficial relationships for the general and greater good.
Right Intentions form a personal development point of view this can be seen as increasing your awareness of your actions and adjusting them for the greater good.
Right Speech, from a personal development view this would be Communication skills. Communications skills may also include your internal dialogue as in positive speech.
Right Action, this can be seen as exercising consideration, personal integrity, exercising wisdom.
Right Livelihood, this would have a relation to lifestyle as I'm enhancing one's quality of life, career, and working in an ethical line of employment etc.
Right Effort, this would relate to discipline commitment
determination persistence.
Right Mindfulness, can be a likened to thoughtfulness consideration...
... And finally
Right Concentration, can be a likened to clarity, focus, exercising discipline of thoughts.
So where do you start? And what does it take?
Define an area of life you would like to work on...
1 create a vision
2 make a plan
3 action your plan
Commit to daily actions targeted towards change
Find a system or programme to facilitate your growth, in some cases this may mean reading the related material, books, websites blogs, in other cases this my mean joining the related clubs or taking courses etc. The main point is to develop a self image complementary to your goal/vision.
Their are no instant solutions, quick fixes or magic formulas to personal development - personal growth other then an awareness for the need for personal growth and the desire to grow. Granted that the two above conditions are meet - an awareness of the need for personal growth - and the desire to grow, you will be able to find success with the following tools:
Commitment,
Discipline,
persistence
inquisitiveness
These tools will make a nice starter in your chosen area of personal development/growth.
The Creative Power within us makes us into the image of that to which we give our attention."
Wallace Delois Wattles
Here are two typical examples of a personal development exercise:
Example one
Renewing self images
First in order to realise success in you chosen area of personal development / growth. You need to do two things invest some time to identify and define an area you would like to develop ie you want a promotion
Developing an image of yourself in your finish or ideal state/position -
What you're going to look like
How are you going to feel?
How will you be acting?
Develop you're new self image daily
Example two
The following is an extract from Napoleon hill think and grow rich, Hill is describing the six steps needed to develop what he calls the burning desire needed to drive a person to the accomplishment of their goals. In this example the steps relate to money but with creative editing this formula can be applied to any area of goal attainment.
"First. Fix in your mind the exact amount of money you desire. It is not sufficient merely to say, "I want plenty of money." Be definite as to the amount. (There is a psychological reason for definiteness, which will be described in a subsequent chapter). See book Think and grow rich napoleon Hill
Second. Determine exactly what you intend to give in return for the money you desire. (There is no such reality as "something for nothing.)
Third. Establish a definite date when you intend to possess the money you desire.
Fourth. Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire, and begin at once, whether you are ready or not to put this plan into action.
Fifth. Write out a clear, concise statement of the amount of money you intend to acquire, name the time limit for its acquisition, state what you intend to give in return for the money, and describe clearly the plan through which you intend to accumulate it.
Sixth. Read your written statement aloud, twice daily, once just before retiring at night, and once after arising in the morning.
Napoleon Hill's 13 Success Principles are;
Desire, Faith, Auto-Suggestion, Specialized Knowledge, Imagination, Organised Planning, Decision, Persistence, the Master Mind, Transmutation, the Subconscious Mind, the Brain and the Sixth Sense
Think and grow rich by Napoleon Hill is a must have work -Think and grow rich is over flowing with valuable knowledge
All that man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thougths."
Article Source
Sunday, 22 October 2017
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