How can you prioritize professional development with work?

1 Assess your needs

Before you dive into any professional development activity, you need to assess your current situation and identify your learning needs. What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are the skills or knowledge gaps that you want to fill? What are the opportunities or challenges that you face in your role or industry? How do your learning goals align with your career aspirations and your employer's expectations? By answering these questions, you can narrow down your focus and prioritize the most relevant and valuable professional development options for you.

2 Plan your time

One of the biggest obstacles to professional development is time management. You may feel that you don't have enough time to devote to learning, or that you have to sacrifice your work quality or personal life to fit it in. To overcome this, you need to plan your time wisely and realistically. Start by setting SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals for your professional development. Then, break them down into smaller, manageable tasks and assign them to specific time slots in your calendar. Make sure you allocate enough time for your regular work duties, as well as for rest and relaxation. Be flexible and adaptable, but also committed and consistent.

3 Choose your resources

Another challenge to professional development is finding the right resources that suit your needs, preferences, and budget. There are many options available, such as online courses, webinars, podcasts, books, blogs, newsletters, mentors, coaches, peers, networks, and more. You don't have to use them all, but you should choose the ones that match your learning style, goals, and interests. You should also look for resources that are credible, relevant, and up-to-date. You can ask for recommendations from your colleagues, managers, or industry experts, or do some research on your own.

4 Apply your learning

Professional development is not only about acquiring new information, but also about applying it to your work and improving your performance. You need to find ways to transfer your learning to your daily tasks, projects, and challenges. You can do this by practicing your new skills, sharing your insights, seeking feedback, solving problems, creating value, and measuring your results. You should also reflect on your learning process and outcomes, and identify what worked well and what needs improvement. By applying your learning, you can demonstrate your competence, confidence, and growth to yourself and others.

5 Seek support

Professional development can be more enjoyable and effective when you have the support of others who share your goals, values, and interests. You can seek support from various sources, such as your employer, your manager, your colleagues, your mentors, your coaches, your peers, your friends, or your family. You can ask them for guidance, advice, feedback, encouragement, recognition, or resources. You can also offer your support to them in return, by sharing your knowledge, skills, experiences, or opportunities. By seeking support, you can build your network, enhance your collaboration, and increase your motivation.

6 Review your progress

Professional development is an ongoing and dynamic process that requires regular review and evaluation. You need to monitor your progress and assess your results against your goals and expectations. You can use various tools and methods, such as self-assessments, quizzes, tests, surveys, portfolios, certificates, badges, or performance reviews. You should also celebrate your achievements and reward yourself for your efforts. You should also update your goals and plans as you learn and grow, and adjust them to your changing needs and circumstances. By reviewing your progress, you can track your development, identify your gaps, and plan your next steps.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?