1. Outline your goals.
Think about where you see yourself professionally in 3 to 5 years. Your goal
may be to earn a promotion, start your own company, switch to a different
career or work fewer hours. Be specific about your long-term goals, including
all details about the type of job you ultimately want and the activities of
your day-to-day life.
2. Assess your current situation.
Determine how far you are from reaching your ultimate goal. If you want to become
the manager of your own store, for example, think about the steps and skills
necessary for achieving your goal. An increase in product knowledge, greater
skill in employee management or stronger sales abilities are examples of
necessary competencies.
3. Acknowledge your strengths and
highly developed skills. Strong computer skills, analytical
ability and marketing knowledge are examples of strengths. List all of your
highly developed skills, even if you do not utilize them in your current work
situation. Review your work history and recall feedback from past supervisors
and co-workers to help you develop this list.
4. Identify your weaknesses.
Write down areas in need of improvement. Write them as positive statements,
such as, "develop organizational skills" or "gain knowledge of
XYZ software application."
-
Speak to your supervisor, co-workers and others who are familiar with your work
habits. Ask them to identify skills that you can further develop to help you
reach your professional goals.
5. Create an action plan for
developing your skills. Review your list of weaknesses and
identify the areas that are critical components of achieving your long-term
goals. If your goal is to manage a team, for example, and you find it difficult
to deal with conflicts and stress, focus on strengthening this skill. Find an
employee management class that teaches techniques in conflict resolution.
-Determine
if you prefer self-directed study, hands-on practice or a traditional classroom
environment for developing skills.
6.
Assign a time line for the development of each skill. Be realistic. Some skills require
extensive study and practice before they become strengths. Consult with your
supervisor, guidance counselor, co-workers and others who may have insights
about a reasonable time line for developing each skill.
7.
Check in with yourself regularly to assess your progress. Ask others whose observations you
trust for feedback on your skills development progress. Stay focused on your
goals by posting reminders on your calendar or on post-it notes. Display
inspiring images on your desk or refrigerator, such as a picture of your ideal
career life or symbols of the prosperity your new skills will bring.
Useful
links
