Sample on Personal and Professional Development
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TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................1 TASK 1...........................................................................................................................................1 LO 1.1........................................................................................................................................ 1 LO 1.2........................................................................................................................................ 1 LO 1.3........................................................................................................................................ 1 TASK 2...........................................................................................................................................1 LO 2.1........................................................................................................................................ 1 LO 2.2........................................................................................................................................ 1 LO 2.3........................................................................................................................................ 2 LO 2.4........................................................................................................................................ 3 TASK 3...........................................................................................................................................3 LO 3.1........................................................................................................................................ 3 LO 3.2........................................................................................................................................ 3 LO 3.3........................................................................................................................................ 3 LO 3.4........................................................................................................................................ 3 CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................. 4 REFERENCES...............................................................................................................................5
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LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Personal SWOT Analysis....................................................................................... 2 Table 2: Activities required to improving skills............................................................. 2 Table 3: Evaluation of Personal and Professional Skills............................................. 2 Table 4: Personal Development Plan................................................................................ 3 Table 5: Updated Personal and Professional Development Plan............................3
INTRODUCTION Personal and professional development are such concepts, no matter in what stage of life an individual is living, they have to be kept in mind because it is the only effective way through which a better life can be led (Tomlinson, 2004). In this regard it may not be wrong to say that for me it would be very important to evaluate areas of strengths and weaknesses of my own and also to formulate plans through which process of development can be eased
and made simple. Through the present study an attempt
would be made so as to identify and determine some approaches to self managed learning; and various time management strategies that I can use in daily social and professional life.
TASK 1 LO 1.1 Self-managed learning basically is the culmination of various learning techniques that were unique in nature like self-development, self-directed learning, action learning, etc (Eisele and et.al, 2013). It is a system through which all round development of an individual can be ensured and that the learning process also gets
simpler. Though every person has different
learning styles and methods, because of which there is no specific style which can be used by everyone. But some approaches to self managed learning are as follows:
Seminars and Conferences: Many a times people tend to learn new things and update their knowledge through the help of seminars and conferences. It is a very good way through which their horizon can be Best Online Dissertation Writing Service UK By the Academic Experts Team
broadened (Dealtry, 2004). This would mean that by attending the seminars and conferences, to a great extent I can gather new knowledge and thus be able to live personal and professional life in a effective way.
Internet: This is another source which can prove to be a very good and effective source in process of self managed learning. Internet is a very vast playground and can help individuals by a great margin in their learning and development process (Hermans, Kalz and Koper, 2014). This is so because of the reason that the person would be in a position through which he can access a variety of sites and read the materials provided on it. LO 1.2 Learning is a process which essentially must go on a continuous basis, meaning that it can be meaningful only if is turned into a lifelong process. There are a lot of ways through which such an activity can be performed. One of them is that the concerned individual, in this case I, should keep a “to do” and “to learn” list all the time. They can be very useful ways through which lifelong learning can be promoted. The two of them are completely different from one another (Young, 2010). On “To-do list” the individual would note down the activities that they have to perform during the course of a day; while the “to learn” list talks about things which they want to learn over a period of time. Such lists may prove to be of great use in promoting a lifelong learning attitude in an individual. Another way through which lifelong leaning in an individual can be promoted is that of using the early morning time of fifteen minutes. Various studies into the topic have stated that the morning time must be utilized by individuals to engage into learning process for their lifetime (Bourner and Simpson, 2014). The studies suggest that if this period is used in reading and learning new things would help the individuals by a great deal, as it is the best period to learn something new.
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LO 1.3 It is a well known fact that self managed learning is a very important concept and has a great deal of advantages and disadvantages. In this regard it may not be wrong to say that it not only benefits the individuals that engage into it, but also to the firm that they work for. Advantages to individuals One of the major benefits that an individual can obtain of the approaches to self managed learning is that they get to learn a lot of new skills and talents. One of the major areas that they may experience improvement in is that of the communication skills. For a person to be able to effectively operate in an organization, communication is the essence and key to their performance (Cooke, 2012). Therefore it is very important that these skills are improved. Other than that they also get a chance to learn how to effectively manage time available to them. For proper working at the workplace, it is very much essential that attention is paid in learning time management strategies and skills. It is through the approaches of selfmanaged learning that they can do so. Advantages to organizations Not only individuals are benefited
through approaches to self
managed learning, but also the firm that they work for can reap the benefits of it. One of the major advantages of it is that overall productivity as well as performance of the business can be improved (McCourt and Eldridge, 2003). Additionally, employee loyalty and dedication to work can also be improved significantly.
TASK 2 LO 2.1 To be able to work in the insurance industry, there are a lot of skills and abilities which are required to be possessed by an individual. It can be supported through the fact that the insurance industry is one of the fastest Best Online Dissertation Writing Service UK By the Academic Experts Team
yet competitively growing industries in the country. The CII (Chartered Insurance
Institute)
and
Professional Standards
the
professional
body,
in
association
with
Board, has set some specific standards
that
individuals working in this sector have to fulfill (CII Professional Standards
Board., 2013). In this context the skills that I possess would help immensely in meeting the targets that have been assigned to me and enabling me to contribute to that of the organizational goals and objectives. At present the skills which I possess include communication and presentation abilities. I am very good at communicating the intending parties about my thoughts and feelings and understand their feelings and opinions as well. The insurance code of conduct states that the individuals or the employees must be able to effectively communicate their opinions and also properly listen to the opposite party’s point of view and understand their suggestions and thought process. Other than that one of the main objectives of the company that I work for, is to give such presentations to the customers or the clients through which their thinking and behavior can be influenced. In this regard, the management gives a lot of emphasis on ensuring that the employees are able to give good and effective presentations. My presentation skills are also very good, due to which I can say that I have the skills and talents through which I can contribute to firm’s targets. LO 2.2 For identifying and determining own developmental needs, one of the best way is to carry out a personal SWOT analysis. It would provide me with a lot of useful information through which I can see in what all areas I need to improve in and the ones that I am strong in. Following is such an analysis that would help me by a great margin in the process of identifying own developmental needs and the activities through which they can be fulfilled.
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Table 1: Personal SWOT Analysis Strengths Excellent
Weaknesses
communication
skills
–
Auditory Effective
Short tempered Lack
presentation
abilities
Visual & Kinesthetic
–
of
stress
management
capability Lack of cognitive abilities
Opportunities
Threats
Meeting new people
Highly competitive industry
Expanding the human network
Too much work pressure
Technology related skills
Lack of training and development
Time management
sessions
Leadership
No workshops on improving various skills Problem solving skills
From the above table it can be seen that there are many areas that I am strong in and many more are there in which I need to improve so as to work effectively and meet the assigned targets. I need to work extensively so as to be able to control my anger and the shortcoming of getting frustrated very easily. There are many ways through which I can learn to control it. But one of the best and effective one is
doing meditation and
yoga. The insurance industry is characterized as highly competitive and the people working in it are always under pressure and stress to meet the goals that have been assigned to them. In stressful situations, a very good way through which it can be combated is listening to classical music. It is known to help people to calm themselves. Cognitive abilities is another area that I would have to improve in. To enhance these skills brain storming is the best way.
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Table 2: Activities required to improving skills Skills to be improved
Activities required to meet them
Short tempered
Doing yoga and meditation
Managing stress levels
Listening to good and classical music
Cognitive skills
Brain storming
LO 2.3 The company that I am working for, has started
giving a lot of
importance and attention to ensure that the employees are able to develop their various skills so that their current and future needs are fulfilled up to a great extent. In this regard it may not be wrong to say that there are many areas in which I want to improve. Following is a table that depicts how good I am in different abilities, along with an example to justify the rank and ways through which they can be improved. Table 3: Evaluation of Personal and Professional Skills Professional Skills
Current Level
Best Current Example
Ways to Improve
Positive reviews from
NA
5 = Strong 1 = Weak
Communicati
5
on Skills
boss and training manager
Listening
4
Skills
Good feedback from
Being aware of the
the clients
speaker; removing distractions.
Presentation Skills
5
Effective reviews given
NA
by both manager and clients
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Problem
2
Solving Skills
Recently could not
Focusing on the
identify the main
solution and not
reason of decline in
the problem;
performance
Having an open mind while pondering over the problem.
Technology
4
Skills
Not enough knowledge
Attending
of how to use
workshops and
computers and
seminars that
internet.
teach how to operate them.
Time
3
Many times I have
Learning various
Management
been late to report for
time management
Skills
work and to meet with
strategies;
a client
Scheduling and Prioritizing.
LO 2.4 It is a very important for an individual that a personal and professional development plan is developed, mainly because of reason that it would guide the person in areas that they are strong and weak in, and also ways through which such areas can be strengthened (Ottewill, 2002). Following is a development plan that I would have to follow so as to effectively operate in the insurance industry and also improve my performance in it by a substantial margin.
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Table 4: Personal Development Plan S.
Learnin
Current
Target
Development
Criteria for
Timesca
Evidence
N
g
Proficien
Proficien
Opportunitie
judging
le
o.
Objecti
cy
cy
s
success
4
5
Removing all
Positive
the
feedbacks
distractions
from clients
someone
and training
removed
ve 1
Listenin g Skills
2 months If all the distractions during
listening
to are
manager 2
Problem
2
4
Focusing on
Be able to
5–6
I am able to put more
Solving
the solution
identify the
months
focus on finding the
Skills
and not the
problem of
solution rather than
problem;
the situation
the problem itself
Having an
that I may be
open mind
stuck in
while pondering over the problem
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3
Technol
4
5
Attending
Be able to
6 months
I can now easily use
ogy
workshops and
perfectly use
to 1 year
computer and
Skills
seminars that
computer and
teach how to
search for
operate them
matter on the
internet
internet 4
Time
3
5
Learning
Reach to
2–4
Clients and boss are
Manage
various time
office on
months
happy that I reach on
ment
management
time; meet
time and respect the
Skills
strategies;
with clients
appointments set
Scheduling
as per
and Prioritizing
appointment
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TASK 3 LO 3.1 A very important task is to implement the development plan prepared. Therefore I will have to follow a variety of steps for the same purpose. One major step in this regard that would have to be taken is to enroll in some courses that would help me in improving the skills and abilities that I falling short in. But I will also have to make sure that my attendance in such classes is upto date and that I do not miss any one of them. This means that i would have to make a time table so as to manage the time i have on my hand. LO 3.2 The first step which I would have to take so as to attend the different courses on skills that I have to improve in, I will have to find colleges which provide training and classes on the same abilities. Additionally, finding the different organizations and trusts which conduct seminars, conferences and other such training sessions will also be of great importance in this process. Apart from this, I will also have to make sure that the development activities and plans which I have prepared are well implemented. LO 3.3 The purpose of developing as well as implementing the development was to improve myself in various skills and abilities that I lack in. This way I will try to contribute to organizational goals and objectives. By executing the plan I observed that i have improved substantially in many skills that I am not good in. It is due to this reason I can say that I have been able to contribute in an effective manner to attainment of the firms’ aims and objectives, which clearly indicates that my performance in the company has enhanced by a considerable margin.
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LO 3.4 The personal development plan which was prepared above though was effective, but following is an updated version of it, which consists of various other skills that I further improve in:
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Table 5: Updated Personal and Professional Development Plan Personal Objectives Convincing Skills
Action Plan Required Motivational thoughts Understanding point of view of others
Analytical Capabilities
Reading and understanding more books Solving more puzzles Enrolling in courses that teach mathematics
CONCLUSION For the individuals regardless of the company and industry they are operating in, one of the most important tasks is related to development of such plans through which they can walk on the road of prosperity and growth. In this regard, during the study it was seen that there are many areas that I would have to improve in so as to be able to operate successfully in the insurance sector. Some of the skills that I would require are that of the communication and presentation. Apart from this, I need to have access to many more of them like, stress management, time management, knowledge of computers and internet, etc.
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REFERENCES ➢ Bourner, T. and Simpson, P., 2014. Tction learning and the pedagogy of professional doctorates. Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning. ➢ Cooke, A. N., 2012. Professional development 2.0 for librarians: developing an online personal learning network (PLN). Library Hi Tech News. ➢ Dealtry, R., 2004. The savvy learner. Journal of Workplace Learning. ➢ Eisele, L. and et.al., 2013. Employee motivation for personal development plan effectiveness. European Journal of Training and Development. ➢ Hermans, H. Kalz, M. and Koper, R., 2014. Toward a learner-centered system for adult learning. Campus-Wide Information Systems. ➢ McCourt, W. and Eldridge, D., 2003. Management. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Global
Human
Resource
➢ Ottewill, R., 2002. Student self-managed learning – cause for concern?. On the Horizon. ➢ Tomlinson, H., 2004. Educational Leadership: Personal Growth for Professional Development. SAGE. ➢ Young, H. S., 2010. 15 Steps to Cultivate Lifelong Learning. ➢ CII Professional Standards Board., 2013.
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