The Importance of Personal Development: Why You Should Dedicate at Least 10% of Your Working Week

One of the most critical investments you can make is in your own personal development. No matter what industry you work in, the pace of technological change demands that we constantly adapt, refine, and expand our skillsets. The question then arises: how much of your work time should you dedicate to this?

In my experience working at the Royal Society of Chemistry, I have found that dedicating at least 10% of my working week to personal development is not just desirable, it’s necessary. This commitment translates to around four hours in a standard workweek, and it provides me a crucial buffer to stay on top of the latest AI developments, learn new tools, or reflect on my interactions with colleagues during the week and how I can improve my leadership skills .

Organisations that truly value their employees' growth will often support even more, encouraging team members to dedicate up to 20% of their week to personal development activities. For those fortunate enough to work in such environments, this additional time can lead to significant benefits, both personally and for the organisation. It encourages an environment of continuous learning and improvement, fostering creativity and innovation. When employees feel empowered to invest in their own growth, they tend to feel more valued, engaged, and aligned with the organisation’s long-term vision.

The Challenges of Prioritising Personal Development

However, many of us will struggle to carve out the time necessary for personal development due to the immediate demands of our roles. The day-to-day pressures of meetings, projects, and deadlines can often overshadow long-term growth efforts. In some cases, employees may feel guilty dedicating time to learning or personal reflection, feeling as though they should instead be focusing on their core responsibilities.

In my role leading the IT Operations and Programme Delivery Team at the Royal Society of Chemistry, I’ve seen first hand how easy it is to get swept up in the urgent matters of the day. But I’ve also learned that personal development is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. If you’re not growing, you’re falling behind.

To overcome this, I advocate a proactive approach. Making a clear and conscious effort to schedule personal development time on a weekly basis is the first step to ensuring that this critical activity doesn’t fall by the wayside. In my experience, one of the best methods for accomplishing this is time blocking, ive been using this technique for at least the last five years and I've benefitted from it enormously.

Time Blocking: A Strategy for Making Personal Development a Priority

Time blocking is an effective time management technique that involves scheduling dedicated periods of your day or week for specific tasks. Instead of reacting to demands as they come, you proactively create blocks of time for focused activities, whether it’s strategic thinking, deep work, or in this case, personal development.

For instance, I often block off Friday mornings for uninterrupted development time. Whether I’m reading technology related websites, X (twitter) for the latest tips on how to get the best out of AI tools, or reflecting on my teams strategies, this time is sacred and non-negotiable. By assigning a set period in my calendar to personal development, I ensure it doesn’t get pushed aside for more immediate but less important tasks.

Time blocking not only helps protect time for personal development but also combats the post-covid increase in creeping fatigue that comes from an overload of online meetings. In my experience, there is a clear correlation between effective time management and reduced burnout. When meetings are spread across your calendar without any structure, it becomes nearly impossible to find time for focused work or learning, not even enough time for a comfort break between them. This is where time blocking excels, it forces you to respect the boundaries of your time and ensures that your schedule reflects your priorities.

If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of time blocking or want to improve your approach, I highly recommend this article on the method. It offers a comprehensive guide to making your day more productive by protecting your most valuable resource, time.

The Mental Health Benefits of Personal Development and Time Blocking

Beyond the obvious professional advantages, dedicating time to personal development and structuring your day with time blocking can also have a positive impact on your mental health.

First, personal development can provide a much-needed sense of control and purpose in the workplace. When we feel stagnant or overwhelmed by routine tasks, stress levels can rise. But when you actively dedicate time to improving yourself, whether it’s learning a new skill or reflecting on your goals, it gives you a sense of progression and accomplishment. In my experience this is essential for maintaining positive mental health, and breaks the monotony of being swept away in continuous meetings, alleviating feelings of frustration or burnout that often accompany a day of nothing but back-to-back meetings.

Moreover, time spent on personal development often involves stepping back from the daily grind to focus on broader horizons, allowing your mind to rest and recharge. This helps to reduce the mental overload caused by constant task-switching and information bombardment, which are common causes of work-related anxiety and stress.

Time blocking plays a vital role in supporting mental well-being. It encourages balance by ensuring that your schedule includes time for reflection, uninterrupted work, and rest. When your day is less fragmented by back-to-back meetings and constant interruptions, you have more headspace to focus on high-impact tasks without feeling overwhelmed. In my own experience, having clear boundaries in my calendar has been an invaluable tool in reducing mental fatigue and maintaining a sense of control over my workload.

By using time blocking, you protect pockets of time for yourself, allowing for breaks that can restore your energy levels and help you stay mentally sharp throughout the day.

The Payoff: Why It’s Worth the Investment

While dedicating 10-20% of your working week to personal development may seem like a significant time investment, the long-term payoff is undeniable. Here are just a few of my reflections on how its helped me:

1. Increased Job Satisfaction – When you are actively growing, you feel a sense of accomplishment and purpose. Personal development can break the monotony of routine tasks and keep your role interesting.
2. Enhanced Adaptability – Learning new skills or staying informed about trends can make you more adaptable to change. It helps you stay competitive and ready for the next challenge.
3. Improved Mental Health – Dedicated time to personal development and using time-blocking techniques help clear your mind and reduce work-related stress. They help you take control of your time and progress, addressing any anxiety and preventing burnout.
4. Better Work-Life Balance – Investing in personal development doesn’t mean working more hours. By learning better time management strategies (such as time blocking), you can work more efficiently, freeing up time for both work and personal growth.
5. Meeting Avoidance and Fatigue Reduction – Blocking out time not only aids in your personal growth but also gives you a legitimate reason to avoid unnecessary meetings. Structured schedules help you focus on high-impact tasks rather than responding to every ad-hoc meeting request.

From my own journey at the Royal Society of Chemistry, I’ve found that these strategies have been key in my career development. The time invested in learning new skills, understanding industry shifts, and enhancing leadership skills has paid dividends not just in my personal growth but also in my ability to lead and innovate effectively. Moreover, the discipline of time blocking has allowed me to maintain a healthy balance between meetings and focused work, preventing the burnout that often comes from an overloaded schedule.

Take Charge of Your Development

Whether your organisation supports a culture of continuous learning or not, it’s essential that you take personal responsibility for your growth. Set aside at least 10% of your time, if not more, for personal development, and protect that time using effective techniques like time blocking. This simple commitment to yourself can pay enormous dividends in both your professional success and personal well-being.