Personal Development
Sample personal development plan objectives
Martin Barraud/ OJO Images/Getty Images I often get asked by managers for an example of a completed Individual Development Plan (IDP). On hand, I hate to provide an “example”, because I’m afraid too many of them will just copy the example and not put enough thought into it. On the other hand, I’ve found that is exactly how busy managers seem to learn the process best – by just showing them what a completed IDP looks like. So for all of you terminally busy, impatient, and quick-study managers, here are two examples of management IDPs. One is for…
read morePersonal development in students
As college students take their courses, they’ll gain much beyond the academic benefit. Through their courses, and through the guidance of instructors like you, students can develop attitudes and skills that help them gain confidence, work well with others, and better understand themselves and the world around them. We wanted to learn more about students’ opinions on the ways that college has provided them with opportunities to develop the skills, traits, and attitudes that will prove meaningful as they pursue their future goals. So, in our Spring…
read morePersonal development books for young adults
Most librarians love a booklist. But when major media outlets cover young adult fiction, the results are sometimes…mixed. So it was with a healthy dose of skepticism that many young adult librarians viewed Time Magazine’s release of its list of 100 Best Young Adult Books. While the list does include many fantastic young adult novels, and many other books that are classics in their own right, it is not without its deficiencies. For your convenience, I’ve made a spreadsheet of all the titles (no clicking through slideshows!) and added the publication…
read moreWhy is personal development important to you?
Image courtesy of Since you’re reading Pick the Brain, it’s a safe bet that you’ve got some level of interest in self-improvement, personal development, or simply getting a bit more from life. Whatever your goals, you’re hoping that you’ll find some advice that will help you reach them. You might well read a number of other popular blogs on similar topics, such as or . Yet, although you’re getting some good advice and putting some tips into practice, you might feel like you need a bit more. You’re skimming blogs on coffee breaks at work, or in between…
read morePersonal development plan short term goals examples
Now it’s time to break up those goals into smaller chunks, or rather steps, so that you can easily make those goals attainable. Short-term goals are things you can do that will help you get closer to your long-term goals. Many like to break up their short-term goals into things that can be accomplished within 12 months. Then each year, they keep creating more short-term goals to check off of that year. Short-term goals are important to make because with out them, your long-term ones may seem unattainable on their own. And without a checklist, you’ll…
read moreBusiness personal development books
I have been in and around the publishing business my entire professional life. So I understand the potential impact of a great book. Courtesy of IStockPhoto/Connel_Design In business, the right book at the right moment can tilt the playing field and give you a crucial advantage. These thirty-seven business books have personally made a huge difference for me. In fact, they’re the best I’ve ever read. Big Picture These are all books that have shifted how I think about business as such. They’ve had a direct impact on the success I’ve experienced so…
read moreUse it to support personal development
Put simply, PDR ensures that important conversations take place about work, about you, and about any areas where you need support or development or where you have good ideas on how to do things better PDR schemes are run at departmental level, so to find out if you have a scheme in place talk to your departmental administrator. Even if you don t, it is part of your PI/supervisor s job to support you in your development so do ask for a meeting, even if it s only an informal chat. A guide is available from the Oxford Learning Institute to help you…
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