What It Takes To Get the Most Out of Individual Development Plans

Creating an Individual Development Plan

For most people a career, even a business, is a way to earn their living. Many times out of necessity, we opt for a career where there is a better chance of earning money than fueling our passion. This can seriously hamper individual development. Whether this is your situation or you simply want to put a plan in place to systematically grow and improve your individual development, an individual development plan (IDP) may be just the ticket.

Individual Yes, Go it Alone, No!

Individual development plans, especially for small business owners, are tools that are best developed under professional guidance and used in conjunction with coaching for personal development.

Essentially, IDPs are individually tailored descriptions of specific activities designed to reach agreed upon  development objectives. IDPs are comprehensive and go beyond “goal sheets” and “to do” lists.  When used in conjunction with professional coaching, they serve as both guide and measurement tool for you in your quest for personal development and growth.

Your IDP provides a systematic way to increase and catalog your knowledge, skills and experiences. As you track your gains and measure your progress towards your development goals, it is only natural that your morale and satisfaction improve.

Some basic elements of your Individual Development Plan might be:

• Organizational responsibilities

• Developmental activities to support your responsibilities

• Milestones with dates for successfully completing development activities

By working with your coach you will develop a plan that is challenging but attainable. Your coach will help you stay on task and hold you accountable to the commitments you made to yourself in your plan.

Where to Begin?

The first requirement of developing a powerful individual development plan is self evaluation. You need to truthfully evaluate yourself and recognize those areas in which you are good, and also pin-point those areas that are required for your personal and professional growth and in which you are lacking. The objective input from a trained coach can be invaluable in helping you uncover and unlock what has been holding you back.

Make no mistake about it. Truly valuable personal development plans take a lot of effort to create and even more effort to execute! Ultimately, your level of commitment and effort will define your success.  A good coach can help you enormously but only you can improve yourself!

Call me, Jeff Bishop, at 630.305.0609 and learn how an individual development plan can help your personal and professional growth.