Understanding Personal Development - Assignment Example

Personal Development Plan Name: Tutor: Course: Date: Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 1. Introduction 3 2. Evaluation and Skills 3 3. Action plans 6 4. Application 8 5. Evaluation and Conclusion 9 Reference list 11 Armstrong J S 2012, Natural Learning in Higher Education. Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning. London. 11 Aubrey B 2010, Managing Your Aspirations: Developing Personal Enterprise in the Global Workplace McGraw-Hill. 11 Bandura A 2007, Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman 11 Chickering A 2003, Education and Identity (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1969); second edition updated with Linda Reisser, published in 2003 by Jossey-Bass. 11 Herminia, I 2003, Working identity : unconventional strategies for reinventing your career. Boston, Mass.: Harvard Business School Press. p. 199. 11 Hewlett, S A 2007, Off-Ramps and On-Ramps, Harvard Business School Press. 11 Le Blanc, R 2008, Achieving Objectives Made Easy! Practical goal setting tools & proven time management techniques. Maarheeze: Cranendonck Coaching. 11 Ryan, M R & Deci, L E 2000, Self-Determination Theory and the Facilitation of Intrinsic Motivation, Social Development, and Well-Being. American Psychologist. New York. 12 Seligman, M 2008, Building Human Strength: Psychology’s Forgotten Mission, Vol. 29, Number 1. 13 1. Introduction Recently, I completed a course in business management from an international college with good qualification in business and languages. Being 20 years old and ambitious to obtain a higher degree certificate from a local university I am set for an academic journey that will provide a good academic and professional standing. I have shown greater interest in pursuing strategic business management at the university. In five years time after my university graduation I have a desire of becoming a middle level manager. I will need to obtain a professional certificate in marketing as well from a recognized institution to compliment the degree in strategic management in the initial year of university education. I am devoted, analytical, and aggressive in getting to my academic and work goals. I also consult and take my work with seriousness it deserves. I am positive to criticism or compliment but not reactive. I admire honest and responsibility. In the coming five years I would like to be an actuarial professional with superior knowledge in risk management, strategic planning, and business administration (Hewlett 2007). In addition, I would like to take superior roles in risk management analysis and strategic marketing planning. My work priorities will mean providing responsive and reliable services to the customers of my potential employers. I will need to bring about a radical change in perspective and thinking to bring about followership and charismatic leadership that maximize the goals and objectives of the organization. 2. Evaluation and Skills I will need interpersonal skills in order to succeed in my higher education as it assists in greater creating bonds and associations with my prospective colleagues. Research skills will also be needed in accessing information from internet, libraries, and periodicals (Seligman 2008). If I dedicate my first five months in learning, I will optimize the use of search engines and catalogues making it easier to obtain academic and non-academic information. My course and future work ambitions will demand that I obtain excellent analytical and communication skills in writing of continuous assessment tests, term papers and examinations. I will also need to respond to tutorial questions in adequate time. The course will also demand excellent report writing skills through article writing, extensive abstracts reading and writing and completion of student projects. My future work priorities will entail having a team and interpersonal skills that conform to the organizational goals. As opined by Aubrey (2010) there is need to have problem solving skills which are crucial in resolution making, formulating vision and creativity required in tackling future challenges. I will also need organizational and planning skills that help in arranging and prioritizing information. Besides, there is need to have outstanding leadership and management skills like good background on organizational goals, self-confidence, personal and group inspiration and motivation. My university colleagues find it easy interacting and developing interpersonal skills through talk and healthy engagement during conversations. I have excellent grasp on business fundamentals and risk management processes which I believe will take me to greater achievement at the university and employment. I have a strong desire for a nice transcript alongside professional excellence that takes the best of corporate practice. I believe there is need to be flexible or adaptable in both learning and employment spheres (Locke 2001). To succeed in the University, I will need to gain a lot from being open to ideas and new concepts and through adoption of flexible working hours. My line of learning has been objectified by positive energy and attitude which has guaranteed the achievement of goals even in situations where success is limited. I appreciate the fact that employment and higher learning complement each other and cherishes positive work ethics and productivity. I believe that professionalism emanating from education demands honest through taking research with originality, avoiding plagiarizing assignments and papers and owning all the responsibilities. This case is similar to employment where work priorities necessitate adoption of professional skills and work (Maslow 2006). I will need business ideas and concepts during job interviews and career sessions. I will attend mock interviews, career weeks, HR workshops and open sessions on CV and resume writing. I am honest, reliable, and responsive and cherish the team spirit as a positive attribute. I believe in being honest and fair when handling demanding and emotional situation without taking sides or misleading parties into a null and void contracts (Armstrong 2012). I like responsiveness especially to queries and in good time getting to the bottom of an issue. People always perceive me as dependable and reliable. I bring live and spirit to the people we study or work together. I need improvement in probing skills to handle colleagues and juniors in a desirable manner. According to Seligman (2008) understanding the thinking of colleagues and workmates is akin to taking a ride on personality and behavioral tests. I will need mentor’s assistance in guiding me away from reactionary or dishonesty situation which engenders disagreements or brawl. I strongly need improvement in people’s skills especially the varied age groups and gender (Ryan & Deci 2000). Meeting and interacting with new people is my desire because it requires that I develop excellent probing and communication skills. Bandura (2007) notes that skills are further enhanced through acquisition of a reading culture of books and motivational literature. 3. Action plans Strategy Action steps Responsible person Time frame Procedures Others Academic skills Learn new ideas and business risk concepts Probing the tutors and lecturers for more understanding. Discussing with colleagues and taking notes for further research Tutor, I First one year in the University Attending business presentations and functions hosted by the faculty Procure a audio set and books to be read during leisure and hours to sleep Develop research skills and how to write proposals and dissertations Check the past proposals and compare their performances. Download a research guide from the internet Library assistant, I To begin at the end of class work Visit the research section of the library, search for proposals available in the university website Borrow best practices from colleagues Personal and Professional skills Develop good study ethics and hard work Learn from colleagues and ensure timely completion of class work Supervisor, team members First year of study Create a timetable and sequentially arrange assignments with respect to timelines Purchase a laptop with assignment deadline pop-ups installed Establish more team roles and acquire charismatic leadership Learn the essence of public speaking, participate in team exercises and front in demonstrating leadership Me At the university and future employment Attend functions involving more than 100 people. Participate in role playing during such functions Study more on public speaking and addressing the needs teams Work priorities Completing tasks Knowing the job description and work roles. Cooperating with juniors and superiors to have quality work completed on time Middle level manager First six months at work Knowing work timelines Establishing if the tasks can be completed in the specified time. Establishing a rapport with colleagues and line manager to ensure work is completed with minimal interference Taking work appraisals regularly Being available during appraisal sessions Maximizing appraisal information Line manager, I Quarterly Being at ease with line managers Taking the appraisals positively Reading and rehearsing in how to respond to work appraisals Continuous professional development Attending short seminars and workshops during employment Enrolling for correspondence postgraduate studies in business administration Manager, Function head Two years after employment Apply for further studies Seek the permission of the line manager to undertake correspondence studies and examinations Set aside financial resources to undertake further studies Build good relations with the manager to allow for flexible work schedules that accommodates the studies 4. Application I have learnt that time-management is essential skill in my studies and future work. I now know that time is valuable resource which should be nurtured. I will need to manage time during my studies and while at work. I believe that knowledge of keeping time is essential and guarantees success. Through time management, I can change my destiny and events through time consciousness and steadfastness. I will attend classes and meet my work appointments on time. I remember the recent past where I could come late to discussions and lessons but ever since I understood the importance of time management, I have adhered to schedules. I will maximize on the time during library hours, meeting friends, leisure, walks, and engaging in excursions. More significant will be managing time during examinations and work assignments (Chickering 2003). My future work priorities will involve undertaking assignments that should be completed in time, sequencing and taking challenging ones. Positive attitude to studies is one aspect that will assist much in approach line managers, lecturers and colleagues with energy and determination (Herminia 2003). I now have the sense of belonging and achievement with positive attitude. I am determined to succeed in my future work career as a risk professional. I have great motivation and concern with plight of others at the workplace since I know that people come from different social, cultural and economic backgrounds. Positive attitude will help me undertake and prioritize all the tasks without fear or withdrawal. I have found convergence and ease in the area of presentation skills (Aubrey 2010) in which in the past I used to present randomly without regard to trend or the pattern of organization. At the moment, I know that presentation skills utilize projection equipment and helps reorganize my points in mind prior to presentation. It has helped me to recognize that key points on paper need organization before presenting them in front of superiors, colleagues and lecturers. I need not to tense anymore since (Chickering 2003) I have learned that with excellent presentation and organizational skills, I will secure corporate jobs and opportunities at the institutions of higher learning if needed. I need to improve on language and grammar so as to perfect my readership and presentation. Since I am an international student, I will require the assistance of a native speaker to assist me comprehend words not normally spoken by second language learners. My future work team will have bigger tasks associated with skills analysis and prioritization of tasks and challenges. My tasks at work will involve identifying principal skills required in excellent task completion. My future roles will also invoke conflict resolutions in which colleagues and line managers. They will find it harmonious to work with me and cooperate to ensure the roles and responsibilities do not conflict. My workmates will be tasked with developing action plans from various skills. 5. Evaluation and Conclusion Throughout the learning and skills acquisition period, I have noted that it is good to have a personal development plan that identifies both present learning and future work goals. It makes it easier for me to identify the right direction. I am confident of the future since I know how to handle challenges and respond to future opportunities. I appreciated that skills need to be nurtured through training and learning. I noted that being in higher learning institutions inculcates research skills, note taking, development of positive attitude, time-management, presentation and professionalism required in future endeavors. Having an action plan will be easier for me to gauge direction and magnitude of change (Bandura 2007). I am confident that my work priorities will involve handling assignments and tasks, taking examinations and attending seminars and workshops. I also believe that as a business professional I will utilize a collection of personal interests, values, goals, and personal determination to my advantage. I now know that having a good personal development plan guides one in passing job interviews, examinations and taking the right direction and guidelines. Life is a lot bearable with a guide (Le Blanc 2008). I know the future is mine and that I am in control of my destiny hence I cherish acquisition of study skills. I recommend that in future, colleagues at the university and at work make a comparison between organization and personal goals. For instance, a work priority plan can be compared with personal development plan in the university to observe convergence. I also suggest further studies on challenges of nominal group techniques and focus groups in developing team synergies. Reference list Armstrong J S 2012, Natural Learning in Higher Education. Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning. London. Aubrey B 2010, Managing Your Aspirations: Developing Personal Enterprise in the Global Workplace McGraw-Hill. Bandura A 2007, Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman Chickering A 2003, Education and Identity (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1969); second edition updated with Linda Reisser, published in 2003 by Jossey-Bass. Herminia, I 2003, Working identity : unconventional strategies for reinventing your career. Boston, Mass.: Harvard Business School Press. p. 199. Hewlett, S A 2007, Off-Ramps and On-Ramps, Harvard Business School Press. Le Blanc, R 2008, Achieving Objectives Made Easy! Practical goal setting tools & proven time management techniques. Maarheeze: Cranendonck Coaching. Locke, E A 2001, Motivation by Goal Setting, Handbook of Organizational Behavior, 2: 43-54. Maslow, A H 2006, Higher motivation and the new psychology. In E. Hoffman (Ed.), Future visions: The unpublished papers of Abraham Maslow. Thousands Oaks, CA: Sage, p89 Ryan, M R & Deci, L E 2000, Self-Determination Theory and the Facilitation of Intrinsic Motivation, Social Development, and Well-Being. American Psychologist. New York. Seligman, M 2008, Building Human Strength: Psychology’s Forgotten Mission, Vol. 29, Number 1. Read More