Crafting a Strategic Development Plan
Start by setting lifetime goals. You should maintain at least one clearly defined goal for every Life Dimension or aspect in your life. You can set lifetime goals by envisioning what you ultimately want to achieve in various facets of your life. After which, set additional long-term goals by envisioning what you want to be doing and where they want to be five to ten years from the present. Then use short-term goals to get there.
After you set your goals, think about what skills or abilities you want or need to develop to reach your goals. Create a plan for acquiring or enhancing these skills and/or abilities. Your list may include such skills as leadership, problem solving, decision making, presentation, or typing.
After you have identified skills to develop or enhance, establish habits you wish to maintain and actively pursue the mastering of these behaviors. Creating habits is not only extremely helpful in achieving your goals, but also in becoming the person you want to become. Habit creation may include such behaviors as eating healthier, exercising daily, or simply saying “thank you”.
Lastly, it is essential to include elements of mental conditioning in your plan because it is our mental attitudes and beliefs more than our talents and abilities that determine our successes. Mental conditioning can include techniques for focusing, positive thinking, and mental toughness.
“Inspire yourself and others will be inspired. Motivate yourself and others will be motivated. Develop yourself and others will start to develop themselves. Be an example first and then the world changes around you.” – Author Unknown
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker