In this article, you'll learn how to:
Create a personalized development plan using your Plum Profile by setting clear goals, identifying Talents to leverage or improve, and outlining specific actions. Use the Focus On plan to track milestones, overcome obstacles, and apply the 70-20-10 learning method. Regularly revisit your goals, use available resources, and seek feedback to support continuous growth and career development.
We encourage you to first Explore your Plum Profile on your own and Explore your Plum Profile with Others.
You can also bookmark cards with key insights and ideas to add to your Focus On plan. Use your Focus On plan to keep track of the items you want to remember, learn more about, add to your personal development plan, or record your goals (personal and professional).
Now it is time to set your development goals and take action.
How to Build Your Plum Development Plan
Below are some tips on developing and prioritizing your goals. You may record your goals using the Plum Development Worksheet or, alternatively, input your goals in the Focus On section in platform.
How to Set Effective Development Goals with Plum
There are several approaches you can take to choosing a goal:
- Select a Talent to leverage more than you currently do.
- Select a Talent to develop and enhance.
- Select a draining Talent and consider strategies to overcome or work around it.
Creating Specific Action Steps for Your Plum Development Plan
Breaking your goal down into specific actions gives you a clearer picture of what you actually need to do. Aiming to be “more adaptable” is a good first step but will not get you very far because “more adaptable” can mean a lot of things.
How do you choose the specific actions you want to take?
- Explore the development suggestions for each Talent.
- You may have some of your own ideas of developmental actions you wish to take.
Pick developmental suggestions that:
- Energize you and are something you care about.
- Push you out of your comfort zone.
- Help you meet your current or future goals and aspirations.
Use the 70-20-10 method:
- 70% of learning is experience-based; on-the-job activities and assignments.
- 20% of learning is through others; coaches, mentors, job shadowing, and feedback.
- 10% of learning is through formal channels; seminars, webinars, reading, courses, etc.
Identifying Obstacles and Overcoming Setbacks in Development
What are some obstacles or derailers that may impede you in your goal progress? For example, strong attention to detail could mean that you find it challenging to delegate work to others.
Setbacks will inevitably happen in development. Focus on practicing the behaviors that will improve your skills first, regardless of whether you immediately achieve success.
Leveraging Your Talents
Research shows that leveraging our natural strengths is a more impactful (and enjoyable) development process. Which Talents can you leverage to meet your development goals?
Setting Timelines and Milestones for Your Development Goals
Setting measurable goals help to hold us accountable. Reaching milestones also gives us a sense of our progress. What are some realistic, yet challenging timelines or milestones that you can attach to your goals?
Put reminders in your calendar for your key milestones. It can be easy to forget about your development when you’re busy with everyday work. This will act as a reminder to make development a priority.
Development Resources and Support for Your Growth Plan
Often, the best resources are people - your boss, a trusted colleague, a family member, etc. They can provide you with feedback and hold you accountable.
An organization you work for may also have resources you can leverage, such as a mentorship program or training programs for specific skills.
Next Steps: Putting Your Plum Development Plan into Action
- Have a conversation with your boss, colleague, friend, or significant other about your Plum Profile and personal development plan. Ask them for feedback. Have a conversation about how they can support you in reaching your goals.
- Revisit your Development Worksheet or goals in platform regularly. This plan will not be useful if you create it and never look at it again. Schedule a specific time and date in your calendar to review and edit your plan. This way, tracking progress on your goals becomes automatic.
Development Plan Checklist: Ensuring Strong, Measurable Goals
Review this checklist to ensure that your personal development plan is as strong as it can be:
- Focus on areas that will help you achieve short- and long-term career goals.
- Ensure your development goals push you out of your “comfort zone”.
- Select strategies that leverage on-the-job activities, opportunities for coaching from others, and formal methods of learning (e.g., courses, reading).
- Select Talents to leverage.
- Ensure you have measurable metrics to support progress.
- Share your plan with your boss, colleague, friend, or significant other and incorporate their feedback.
- Share your plan with others who may be able to help support your goals.
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