PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN - PDP

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN - PDP

The Sunday School Teaching today 10th March, 2019 at The Lord of Hosts Miracle Chapel for the youths.

Theme PDP – PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

What is PDP? The answer is derived above…… personal development plan! Let us look at the key words:
Personal - means concerning or affecting a particular person or his/her private life and personality.
Development – means act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining.
Plan – means an arrangement scheme, a design, a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished.

Nobody ever wrote down a plan to be broke, fat ,lazy or stupid. Those things are what happen when you do not have a plan…….Larry Winget.

Why do you need a personal development plan? It is pertinent to note that before you embark on a journey whatsoever, you have to put pen to paper and highlight the things you expect and things you want to do. For the new undergraduates this year, what crossed your mind the moment you got wind of your admission to the university? What plan did you in place thereafter?

A personal development plan consists of defining:
1. What is important to you
2. What you want to achieve
3. What strengths you already have that will help you achieve your goals
4. What you need to improve and develop with time

The following are personal development plan template to help you structure your thinking and create a strategic plan for achieving your goals:

Step 1. DEFINE YOUR GOALS

This is the first step. What are those things you want in life. For example, new skills, achievements that will make you happier, learn a new language etc. write them down e.g 1 to 10 or more in number and review it them from time to time.

Step 2. PRIORITISE YOUR GOALS
No doubt some goals are more important than others or better still some goals precede others. Therefore such goals should get your priority attention.

Step 3. SET A DEADLINE
If you have a goal but do not know when you want to achieve it, chances are that it will never happen. Also if you are planning to achieve a big project in a very short time, chances are that it might not happen. Example is Dangote Refinery. Be realistic, specific and make good assumptions time wise.

Step 4. UNDERSTAND YOUR STRENGHTS
Everyone in the world is good at something and has above average skills/ strengths in some specific areas. Ask yourself – what are your key strengths? If you are not sure of the answer, ask your friends or family. Your key strengths are those things that make you unique and special. No one can ever take it away from you. Knowing yourself is a confidence booster.
Even our Lord Jesus asked His disciples this question in Matt 16:13-20. Not that He didn’t know but He wanted a confirmation of who He really is. Once you understand what your strengths are, write them down.

Step 5. RECOGNISE YOUR OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS
Your current character or attitude can make or mar your quest to achieve your goals. Write down at least 5 things you need to stop doing or indulging in. on the other hand write down five things that can help you achieve your goals.

Step 6. DEVELOP NEW SKILLS
A PDP is a plan for how to go from the place you are now to the place you want to be. A PDP will help you go from a position of weakness to a position of strength in the period under reference. If you want to get something you need to give something in return. If you to start a new trade you need to learn the trade and master it. Example is ibo boys and serving their master for 5 to 10 years before they are settled. So which skills or knowledge will help you to achieve your goals.

Step 7. TAKE ACTION
What is your PDP for the year 2019. Your PDP must be a detailed, well- structured and written plan that will demand your loyalty and commitment. He fails to plan, might be planning to fail. Part of the action to take include:
a. Build spiritual capacity – move from just relationship with God to quality fellowship with God. Let God command your attention in everything you do.
b. Read inspirational and motivational books. Number one of such books is your bible. Another one is seven habits of most successful people by Franklin Covey.
c. Attend seminars, conferences and workshops. Sometimes they free.
d. Identify your mentors and coaches and relate with them from time to time.
e. Cut off negative relationships and friendships. These drain your personal energy.
f. Undertake wise and intelligent investments.
g. Cultivate positive habits and behavours. Obey your parents. This is the only commandment of God with a promise.

Step 8. GET SUPPORT
Who can help you achieve your goals faster. For example if you want to change your career you can talk to a career adviser, if you want to lose weight you can talk to a fitness coach, and if you want to improve in your finances you can talk to a financial adviser like yours truly.

Step 9. MEASURE YOUR PROGRESS
The best motivator to stay persistent in achieving your goals is your own progress no matter how little. It is important to recognise that you are moving forward and to write down things that you are doing well. Identify your accomplishments and areas that require improvements and write them down.

In this lecture, you have learnt that you must do a lot of writing things down and review them from time to time. That is the only way to achieve your PDP for the year 2019 and beyond.

As you do that may God in His infinite mercy grant us wisdom, knowledge and understanding in our everyday endeavours in Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen.

By Jerome C. Njoku – Elder.