Creating action plans for personal development is a crucial step in a person’s growth and success in life. Some people achieve success by luck but most have to plan and work hard. Having an action plan is important because it forces the setting of goals and the selection of strategies and tasks to make those goals happen.
Working hard is good, but working hard with a plan is even better. Market economies thrive on efficiency and don’t normally provide much consideration for the fate of specific individuals. People have to make things happen for themselves and need personal development action plans to efficiently achieve the education, training, and skills necessary for success in life.
The Basis of Personal Development
In the West, the idea of personal development can be traced to the ancient Greeks. Aristotle maintained in his Nicomachean Ethics that the pursuit of virtues was required to produce flourishing or living well (eudemonia). In modern psychology, Aristotle’s concepts have been built upon by humanistic psychologists and, currently, by the movement called “positive psychology,” which emphasizes the positive character traits, behaviors and emotions that are beneficial both to individuals and to society.
Personal development can refer both to the self-development or self-improvement of an individual or to the development of others (in school or the workplace, for example). The focus in this article is on an individual’s self-improvement.
Key applications of personal development include a person’s desire for and path to:
- educational attainment;
- development of talents or strengths;
- improvement of self-awareness and self-knowledge;
- enhancing one’s quality of life;
- improving job prospects or career;
- improving relationships; and
- improving health.
Personal development occurs via the setting of personal goals, the development of strategies and action plans to attain those goals, and the implementation of those strategies and action plans.
Creating Action Plans for Personal Development
Goals must be set first and then, one must develop action plans in order to achieve these objectives. An action plan specifies what tasks need to be accomplished, in what timeframe, to achieve a given goal. Costs, if any, should also be included. Action plans also identify who is responsible for each task but in personal development that’s you.
Some of the most frequent uses of goals and action plans in personal development are in the education, career, skill development, and health/fitness areas. Serious thought and careful prioritizing will help you choose goals and develop action plans that are attainable, relevant to your needs, and motivating.
Discuss your goals and action plans with those who know you to obtain feedback and additional ideas. But stay positive and motivated and don’t let others tell you can’t accomplish something if you’re confident that you can. You can usually achieve the things that you really think you can do.
Sample Personal Development Action Plan
Here is a sample action plan for health improvement. This sample plan contains a weight loss goal and distinct tasks to achieve that goal, but people need to create action plans that are specific to their own personal needs and circumstances.
Health Improvement Goal: Lose 30 pounds of fat within six months
Sample action plan with numbered tasks:
- Choose a reputable diet or weight loss program like Weight Watchers or follow the Mayo Clinic Diet.
- See your doctor to get medical clearance for a sensible diet and exercise program.
- Follow the selected diet or weight loss program using all the tools of behavior modification and habit change available (see the Mayo Clinic Diet for specifics).
- Combine the calorie restriction of the diet/weight loss program with an aerobic exercise program to help you burn more fat calories and to get fit.
- Develop the habit of walking every day to help lose weight (or choose an aerobic exercise that you prefer).
- Add a strength training program after one month to maintain and build muscle. Strength train twice a week on non-consecutive days.
- Keep written records of eating behavior and physical activity to monitor progress and help identify obstacles.
- Recruit one or more friends or family members to join your diet and exercise programs.
- Modify the goal and tasks as necessary to keep motivated.
Personal Development Goals and Action Plans Work
In order to flourish in life both good habits and sound decision making are needed. Personal development goals and action plans work by helping people acquire the knowledge and develop the habits they need for success in important areas of life, and also the judgment they need to make wise choices along their journey. Try using goals and action plans in selected areas of your own life and see if they don’t make a real difference.
Related articles that further illustrate the use of goals and action plans for personal development include:
- Setting Goals for Personal Development
- Action Plans for Aerobic Exercise
- The Mayo Clinic Diet for Healthy Weight Loss
- Setting Goals for Strength Training
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Sources:
- Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics . Accessed August 28, 2010.
- Seligman, M.E.P, & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive Psychology: An Introduction. American Psychologist, January 2000, 55, 5-14.
- Locke, E.A., & Latham, G.P. (2002). Building a Practically Useful Theory of Goal Setting and Task Motivation. American Psychologist, 57, 705-717.
Robert McKelvie - My experience in business and pursuit of learning over the years enables me to share some of my knowledge via the web.
Join the Conversation