What do you do if your professional development needs improvement?

1 Assess your strengths and gaps

The first step to improve your professional development is to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. You can do this by conducting a self-evaluation, asking for feedback from your supervisor, peers, or mentors, or taking a formal assessment tool. Be honest and realistic about your current level of competence, knowledge, and confidence in various aspects of your role, such as leadership, communication, fundraising, management, or advocacy. This will help you determine your learning needs and priorities, as well as your achievements and challenges.

2 Set SMART goals

Once you have a clear picture of your strengths and gaps, you can set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for your professional development. For example, you may want to improve your presentation skills, learn a new software, or network with more potential donors. Write down your goals and the steps you need to take to achieve them, such as enrolling in a course, finding a mentor, or attending an event. Make sure your goals are aligned with your organization's mission, vision, and values, as well as your career aspirations and interests.

3 Seek opportunities and resources

The next step is to look for opportunities and resources that can help you reach your professional development goals. You can do this by researching online platforms, courses, webinars, podcasts, blogs, or books that offer relevant and quality content and guidance. You can also ask your supervisor, colleagues, or network for recommendations or referrals. Additionally, you can seek internal opportunities within your organization, such as taking on a new project, joining a committee, or shadowing a senior leader. Be proactive and flexible in finding and pursuing opportunities and resources that suit your needs, preferences, and budget.

4 Track and measure your progress

As you engage in various professional development activities, it is important to track and measure your progress and outcomes. You can do this by keeping a journal, portfolio, or log of your learning experiences, achievements, and feedback. You can also use tools such as surveys, quizzes, or certificates to evaluate your learning outcomes and impact. Furthermore, you can review your goals regularly and adjust them as needed based on your changing needs, circumstances, or expectations. Tracking and measuring your progress will help you stay motivated, focused, and accountable for your professional development.

6 Celebrate and share your success

The final step to improve your professional development is to celebrate and share your success. You can do this by rewarding yourself for achieving your goals, milestones, or challenges, such as taking a break, buying a gift, or treating yourself to a meal. You can also share your success with others, such as your supervisor, colleagues, network, or social media followers, by expressing your gratitude, highlighting your achievements, or showcasing your work. Celebrating and sharing your success will help you boost your confidence, morale, and reputation, as well as inspire others to pursue their own professional development.

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?