How to create your own learning and development plan

A few years ago I stumbled upon a well known success principle of setting goals. I never developed a habit of writing goals down, having targets, and all of that fancy pudding – so this really wasn’t my strength. I always thought there is something endlessly uncool about writing my dreams and desires on a piece of paper.

After a long pursuit of understanding this principle, I realised that the issue was not in my belief that writing down goals was uncool. It was in the hidden fear that once I do – I will have to commit to them. Not achieving what I would write down would mean admitting to myself that I have failed. Luckily for me, I eventually understood that the simple act of writing a goal down increases the chances of success by 1000%! (NB. scientifically researched figure of 1000% was discovered after looking out the window for 2 seconds and thinking about it)

So, how did I finally break that plateau in self-development and started using this very awesome technique? Three steps:

1. I researched about goals
2. I discovered Brian Tracy
3. I used the principles in the programme

If you haven’t heard of Brian Tracy before, it’s time you did. And now you have. If at this point you’re still skeptical or unsure about all this goal setting business, let me just say this: a whole lot of scientific and academic knowledge and research has proof that this works. There is even a very simple explanation of why it works. But I’ll get to that in another post about another very clever guy who wrote a great book, once, and then wrote a 2nd edition of that same book and released it with a really cool cover which I own.

It amazes me the number of people I meet that say they have goals and desires, but are not prepared to pursue them. Even after they hear all the proven principles and methods that will help them to achieve their goals, they do nothing about it. Yes – you! Get going – do something about it! Sheesh, honestly. Nah you’re ok. I like you.

What do goals have to do with learning and development?

So wait – what’s all this goals stuff have to do with putting together a learning and development plan? Well, as it turns out – a learning and development plan is essentially a list of goals – for learning and development! Amazing. If you are a creative or a developer, you understand that continuous learning and development is essential to staying on top of the game and keeping those contracts coming. You do – but I didn’t. Don’t make the same mistake of having to catch up to many new technologies and feeling overwhelmed. But if you don’t know how to set goals – this task will prove to be all the more difficult. But don’t worry – most of us have not been taught to set goals. Schools don’t seem to mind. Neither do most universities. So just like with new technologies, this is one area that we need to catch up on, before moving on.

Resource

Another thing that helps, is having a nice structure – a framework that will help you put everything neatly in boxes and look at it for motivation. I found a document a while back that helped me to achieve just that. There was some (a lot) customisation involved, and after all that – I am sharing it with you – you lucky person. Use it wisely.

Learning and development plan template

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