How Do I Make an Individual Personal Development Plan?

As you make an individual personal development plan, it's important to understand that it should be action-oriented and that you may need to make changes to it later. Some people never start a development plan, as they think they have to be absolutely sure of each part of it. Yet, it's usually much more effective to start the plan and make needed changes when carrying it out. It's important to consider both long- and short-term goals when starting to build an individual personal development plan. Think about your biggest passion in life and what you hope to achieve with it.

To help you identify your passion, it can be helpful to "test" it by asking yourself if it's something you would do without pay every day if your situation allowed it. Imagine yourself living your days doing what you love. Another way to help you identify what you want in your life to guide you in making a personal development plan is to think in terms of "who," "what" and "where." Reflecting on the people and things you want in your life now, in five years and in ten years can help you create goals. The "where" aspect may depend on a geographical location if you hope to relocate, or it may have to do more with renting or owning property.

Once you know what you want in your life, you can customize your individual personal development plan. Make clear, action-oriented steps with a date for achieving each step. You may want to organize your plan chronologically from now to ten years from now. The short-term goals are likely to appear in greater numbers than your long-term ones that may be five or ten years away, but as the time gets closer, you'll probably add more objectives and steps. Keep thinking in terms of what actions you'll need to take to achieve your dream.

Although each achievement step should be specific with a deadline date, remember this still doesn't mean that any objective or goal is set in stone. It's impossible to foresee every step you'll need when you first sit down to write your individual personal development plan. Plus, the concept of development suggests creating a process rather than making a static chart to follow. Make sure to reward yourself for completing action steps on your plan. As it's a personalized plan, include rewards that you find relaxing, interesting or inspiring, whether it's a spa treatment, dinner out with a friend, being able to work on a hobby or time off just to recharge yourself.