Would you ever book a vacation without making any plans whatsoever? Traveling with a plan allows you to at least have an idea of where to go, what to wear and eat, and what to see in order to get your money’s worth. Just like in life, a vacation is even more fulfilling when you have a detailed plan in place. 

A personal development plan, as the term implies, allows you to organize your thoughts and actions so as to cohesively deliver the results you need. It’s a set of guidelines you methodically create to help make better decisions or even make the worst of scenarios work to your advantage. At its core is good preparation to mitigate, lessen, and hopefully eliminate any risks which can pull you down on the journey to greatness. 

Where and When to Start a Sound Personal Development Plan 

It is important to note that nothing great happens overnight, and your efforts require solid commitment from you. To achieve your goals, you will need to create detailed action plans along with contingencies and alternatives. You will also need patience, perseverance, and a strong sense of conviction to be able to bounce back when the situation warrants it. 

While there are many ways to write your personal development plan, start by creating a strategy which can be improved upon as you move forward. Cut/paste/print the sample template below created by SiMar, my premier business consultancy and digital media management firm in Atlanta. Then check off tasks as you accomplish them: 

• Define your goals 
• Create your micro goals 
• Prioritize action plans 
• Set a timetable complete with deadlines 
• Identify strengths and opportunities 
• Recognize weakness and threats 
• Identify skills and build new ones 
• Seek out a professional coach (you officially already have one–me!) 
• Implement action plans, monitor progress, and measure results 
• Optimize your plan and continue moving forward 

Now, go and start building your 2018 personal development plan! Let SiMar’s template be your guide, and don’t forget to share your feedback! 

Having trouble creating your personal development plan? Allison Todd, Founder of SiMar Inc., offers professional coaching services to aid you and your business’s needs. Schedule a consultation now!