Why is Personal and Professional Development so Important?
If you’re working in a large company, or you’re in a profession such as law or finance, the term ‘Personal and Professional Development’ (PPD) may be very familiar to you. However, this is not just corporate jargon. Everybody can benefit from personal and professional development at some point in their lives. Unless you are obligated in some way, usually, the need arises when something is lacking in your life. This could be a feeling of unfulfillment, a lack of meaning or a sense of purpose. You may not be leading the lifestyle you desire. You could be trapped in a relationship or stuck in a job that does not give you the rewards that you once hoped it would. However, sadly, most people are often unaware of the benefits of PPD and continue to lead lacklustre lives.
What do we mean by ‘Personal and Professional Development’ (PPD)?
Where are you right now?
Like it or not, your personal and professional lives are intrinsically linked, which is why the term ‘PPD’ exists – one directly affects the other. If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your career, this will take its toll on your relationships with family and friends. Likewise, if you’re having relationship problems, this will have a knock-on effect when you’re at work. As your stress levels rise, your frustration increases, and you become demotivated and less productive. It’s important to stop and take stock of any areas that are preventing you from achieving your full potential, whether this is in your career or your personal life.
Where do you want to be?
• Reflect on your life. How does it make you feel? Are you currently living by your values? Consider areas of your life where you feel improvements could be made.
• Think about where you would like to be in the future. Create a picture in your mind. What does it look like? Are there any key characteristics, such as a certain commitment or a specific challenge for you to achieve your desired lifestyle?
How can you get to your destination?
Goal setting is an important aspect of personal and professional development. Before you can start setting clear goals, you need to think about the ‘why’ – for example, why do you feel the need to achieve a particular goal? Your goals need to reflect your own personal values and motivations.
Here are three common areas:
• Relationships – do you need to work on your marriage, or do you need to end a toxic partnership?
• Training – do you need to upskill in your current job role to be considered for a promotion?
• Education – do you need to study at an academic institution to achieve one of your goals?