How to Write a Personal Development Plan

A Step-by-Step Guide

Personal development is a passion of mine. I love to help clients enhance the quality of their lives by making positive changes. In this article, I share a step-by-step guide on how to write your own personal development plan. Writing a personal development plan can be your first step to changing your life and can give you an advantage in getting ahead. But where and how do you begin? Here is a simple guide set out in easy steps to get you started. I have broken it down into five parts to keep it simple:

• Create your vision
• Write out your statement of purpose
• Take action by setting measurable goals
• Find a coach and mentor
• Measure your progress

Create Your Vision

The first step towards your personal development is to do a self-assessment and create your vision. You need to identify what areas you desire to change and what assets you can utilize in order to get there. This is a great exercise in creating more self-awareness and helps you to believe that your personal development plan will be successful. Change begins in your mind. If we believe it, we can achieve it. Visualize, in specific detail, what your end goal looks like. Do you desire to be healthier, wealthy, have a successful marriage, or a better job? For example, if you aspire to a better job, what does your dream work environment look like? What will your tasks be throughout the day at your new job? What will your new co-workers be like? What will your new salary be, in specific detail?

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

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Write Out Your Statement of Purpose

This is the ‘Why’ of your goals and vision. Defining your ‘Why’ will motivate you to keep going even when you don’t feel like it. You need to become intensely goal-orientated. You cannot reach your goals without knowing where you are going and how to get there. This area will include identifying the skills that you need to develop as well as what you are willing to give up in order to get what you desire.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)

Take Action

You need to take action by setting measurable goals that will bring you closer to the success you desire. Do something every day to bring you closer to your goals, such as getting up an hour earlier to work on your goals. Utilize your lunch break to work on your goals. Spend a couple of minutes each night reading on a subject related to your goals. You will also need to work on developing new skills to bring you closer to your goals.

Most importantly, set due-dates in order to reach these goals. Without a due-date, goals just remain dreams.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

Find a Coach and Mentor

Find a good coach and/or mentor who can walk you through your personal development plan and help you stay on track. Your coach and mentor may be two different people, depending on what you desire to accomplish. Regardless, your coach/mentor will help you, guide you, and give you feedback and suggestions for improvement.

If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. (Mark 9:22-24)

Measure Your Progress

Throughout your personal development plan, you will have to measure your progress and make adjustments as you go. Measuring how far you have come, and seeing your success, can motivate you to take the next step. Change takes time and it is therefore important to celebrate the small successes along the way.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

Christian Counseling for Personal Development

Remember to keep things simple and to take baby steps toward your goals for long-term success. As a Christian counselor, I am convinced that it does not matter how small the steps are as long as you keep going in the direction of your goals. God has a great plan for your life and if you would like help in working towards this plan, I would be privileged to accompany you.