Developing Strategies for Personal Professional Learning and Development - Assignment Example

Journal Writing Introduction A reflective or learning journal can be defined as a document whereby one records his learning process by recording the various events, tasks, activities and daily work done in the undertaking of ones course (Walker, 2006). A journal is seen as being a container where information relating to ones undertaking of a particular course of study is placed. This is not only helpful in helping one to remember what has been learnt but also for personal as well as career development (Moon, 1999). The following is a reflective journal during my course of study. It presents information summaries, my thoughts, ideas, possible actions to take propositions and reflections on the various readings, tasks and activities undertaken both in and outside of class. This reflective writing is aimed at enabling me to start developing my own strategies for personal professional learning and development. The journal has been filled in terms of weekly undertakings. Also contained in the reflective writing is a learning plan, Professional Practice Framework and a Professional Development Plan. Activities Week 1: Week 1 was an in introduction into the course unit. Here the concept of journal writing was brought out. Here, Mr. Eric Wilson presented us with a course description that contained, the course objectives, purpose of the course , role of the university in bringing up employable graduates, related career opportunities for us, potential employers, career pathways and a description of how the learning and teaching process would be done. This also described the assessment procedure which included that of writing a journal. Through the course description I was personally able to understand what my course of study was all about a factor that helped me gain confidence to pursue and even develop a passion for it. Knowing who my potential employers are gave an assurance for a job and made me understand fully what the course entails. The week can be said to be the basis of this paper as it is through what was learnt during that time that I obtained all the necessary skills and knowledge on how to write out a journal, skills that I am applying in writing this particular journal. Through the task “Developing the skill of reflecting on experience” I was able to effectively learn and understand how to reflect on the various experiences in my life. At this time I was able to understand what a journal is and what a good journal should contain. In terms of my career development, I was able to learn on how to effectively manage my career. By learning on the five stages involved in career management, I believe I obtained information that I would apply in my future career undertakings. though difficult and having taken a lot of time, this prepared me for the professional world as I was able to identify and analyze my career of choice, potential, career goals, objectives and values, identify the necessary skills I will need to enhance efficiency in the career undertaking as well as create an action plan through which I will be able to get to where I want to be. Identifying career objectives and goals is a first effective step towards successfully taking up the particular career. It is also in week one that I got to identify my various weaknesses and strengths through the undertaken “General strengths and soft spots” that required me to answer a number of questions through which I was able to identify the various areas in my life that are strong and that need to be retained and those that need to gotten rid off or even those that need improvement. Identifying my weaknesses gave me time to think and reason out on what I need to do to eliminate this weaknesses and to ensure that I possess all the necessary factors required to attain my set goals and objectives. Through this task, I was able to discover things about myself that I did not know before. The assessment was important in helping me develop an action plan through which I would build on the identified strengths, address my weaknesses and vulnerabilities and acquire assistance on the various areas that need change. Generally, week one was the onset of my reflection and which allowed for all other processes within this course unit possible. The readings of that week provide me with the basics to write this journal. It is during this week that I got to set my learning goals. These were as follows: Learning Goals To become more competent in professional and oral communication: Gain interpersonal skills. Enhance my skills and education necessary to culturally sensitive service to the society To obtain management training necessary for enhancing my leadership skills. To acquire problem solving skills and organizational knowledge. Week 3: The activities of this week provided me with an opportunity to reflect on my career and to build up my personal/ professional development plan. Through the “ Check your awareness and motivation” assessment for example, I was able to reflect on what role I want my career to play for me and everything that pertains to me including my friends, family members, place I live in as well as my personal life. These considerations were important in setting out my career goals and objectives and in realizing my potential. The road map exercise helped me in learning more about myself an aspect that has further helped me in developing towards my potential. Going back to the past during the exercise might have been an overwhelming event for me but one that was eye opening and that helped me understand myself better. Through the practice framework, I was able to know and clearly understand the key knowledge areas within my profession that I need possess, how to acquire these knowledge areas and how I should effectively put them into action in a way that is responsible and that promotes development. The framework was a simplified presentation of what I have learnt in broad. It is during this time that I got to prepare my professional development frame work and plan Professional development plan Current state Strengths The outlined points reflect my personal strengths Apt communication with other people Positive state of mind and optimism Weaknesses The following are my weaknesses: - Tendency to be stuck in a zone of comfort thus lacking confidence in apprehension Fast temper Common feedbacks On most occasions, the various feedbacks that I receive from other people are; - You plan too much than you can achieve at a certain time You should be more assertive Performance indicators These are the indicators that I personally notice; - When the workload is quite heavy, I tend to be overwhelmed with stress Conclusion Considering the above observations, it is important that I should lay much focus on the following areas: - Develop more courage and confidence in whatever I do Learn to be more aggressive Have a controlled temper Focus on the job with increased ease Desired state The desired state will be a profile of the things that I want to achieve over a certain period of time as well as the things that I want to improve I need to be able to talk and act in a confident manner despite whichever situation I am in or whoever that I am talking to. In this case, I need not to be afraid in voicing out my ideas. I also need to be willing to engage in trying out more ventures and thus consider more risks. In this manner I will be willing to look out for new opportunities instead of waiting for opportunities to come by. I will have been able to of influence to critical decision making panels due to the additional confidence I will be exuding (Ghoshal and Bartlett, 1997). I also require additional ability to control whatever situation I am in. The ability to put more effort towards my recommendations, my ideas and my decisions such that they are accepted by others. Ability to be proactively leading in as many situations as I can. In case of teamwork, I should also be part of the people initially airing out their recommendations and learn not to accept all what I am told. Also, I need the ability to remain firm in my decisions and not to be easily influenced by other people (Bandura, 1998). Ability to assess situations before engaging against them in a calm manner. To solicit for the positive part of any situation and also be making the best of any opportunity that comes along my side. To be able to have more focus on finding solutions instead of losing and shifting focus (Kouzes & Posner, 1995). Reasons for the desire The following assertions are the reasons as to why I feel that I should achieve the given objectives and what the objectives add to my professional and personal attributes In being confident, I will be able to approach new challenges and opportunities personally. I will also be able to be respected by others as they will be additionally seeing my worth. I will also dare to try out new opportunities and be independent in my endeavors (Nussbaum and Sen, 1993). This will be a window for more opportunities for a successful and interesting future life. I therefore have been able to confidently show case my true self (Aubrey, 2010). With increased assertiveness, I will not be following the will and decisions of other people blindly. In this case, I will be able to make my own choices and additionally live on my own terms. I will also be able to command respect from others. In this state, I will be fully engage in any contributions that I need to make and also be fully participative. This will be a chance to increase my self confidence and also an increase to my self esteem (Buzzell and Gale, 1997). On having the ability to control my fast temper, I will be able to control what I want to say and thus avoid future regrets. In this manner I will not be consistently hurting those who matter to me. Additionally, I will not be wasting the energy that I waste in venting out anger and thus be able to maturely use that strength for something constructive (Owens, 1991). Short term goals The following are the short term goals that I wish to achieve. Attending some anger management classes to be able to control myself At least be making a recommendation to my seniors a month and strictly following their implementations Reading more literature on self confidence Long term goals Here are the long- term goals that I wish to achieve. Acquire more skills on effective disaster management To get to the level of attaining an Advanced Diploma in Intelligence and Security Ability to command confidence when I want despite the situation that I am in and not to be negatively affected by the setbacks that I receive Ability to effectively analyze unexpected and complex situations. At the same time, I should be able to keep a balance in my situations and avoid extremes. To develop a sound judgment on information or situation and one that is above average as well as being highly responsible. Things to be improved In achieving the state that I wish to get to, the following are the things that I need to get, Develop my confidence using such techniques as NLP Increased practice of being assertive through suggestion of ideas, making of decisions in various meetings and leading in projects Meditating to try to keep calm Resources In order to achieve my targets, I need to attend management classes and also invest in more literature. Timeline Area 1 Hours per week: one hour per week to develop confidence. From 9 to 10pm. This will be on Mondays and Wednesdays in reading literature One hour per week from 7 to 8 a.m. to practice NLP in developing confidence Area 2 Dedicate one hour every Tuesdays and Thursdays to read books on communication Attend organizational meetings on Fridays and practice being more assertive Area 3 Four hours per week on anger management through meditation and anger management classes. Conclusion If the above personal development plan is adhered to in line with the previously discussed modes of improving personal and professional skills, then it will be possible to be able to steer an organization towards the achievement of the preset objectives through the skills possessed. This article was a self test of the managerial skills in both professional and personal realms and has been used as an indicator of the personal and professional skills which are needed in the development of a good manager who can effectively lead the organization in development of the desired strategic objectives. Week 5: This is yet another time when I got to learn more about myself. Through the presentation on professional cultures and professional autonomy, I was able to understand on the important role that values and practices play in developing organizational culture as well as understanding organizational cultures as powerful socializers. Through the “Rokeach (1973) terminal values questionnaire” I was able to discover my values in life and understand the role this values play and should play in my life. Reflecting this values and the priority I give to each of the values helped me weigh out on whether what I prioritize as my most important values is equally worth it and with that I came to discover that some of the things that I highly treasure more than others like for example treasuring pleasure more than self respect and self esteem are not really important as compared to the latter. Reflection on learning goals Through out my different learning experiences activities and task performed in class, I have been able to know myself more and to enhance my various desired skills. With an aim of attaining some of the set learning goals I have been reading a number of important secondary sources through which I have been able to attain management, organizational, leadership, interpersonal and problem solving skills. Some of these sources include: Aubrey, B. (2010) Managing Your Aspirations: Developing Personal Enterprise in the Global Workplace New York: McGraw-Hill. Bandura, A. (1998) Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. New York: Freeman and Company. Ghoshal, S. and Bartlett C. (1997) The Individualized Corporation: A Fundamentally New Approach to Management. NY: HarperCollins. Kouzes, J., & Posner, B. (1995). The leadership challenge. San Francisco: Jossey Bass Publishers. These have also been helpful in developing my professional development plan. References Aubrey, B. (2010) Managing Your Aspirations: Developing Personal Enterprise in the Global Workplace New York: McGraw-Hill. Bandura, A. (1998) Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. New York: Freeman and Company. Ghoshal, S. and Bartlett C. (1997) The Individualized Corporation: A Fundamentally New Approach to Management. NY: HarperCollins. Kouzes, J., & Posner, B. (1995). The leadership challenge. San Francisco: Jossey Bass Publishers. Moon, A. (1999) Learning Journals. London: Kogan Page. Nussbaum, M. and Sen, A. (1993). The Quality of Life. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Owen, D. (1991) Foucault, Psychiatry and the spectre of dangerousness. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry, 2(3): 23-27. Rokeach, M. (1973). The Nature of Human Values. New York: Free Press. Walker, S. (2006) Journal Writing as a Teaching Technique to Promote Reflection. J Athl Train, 41(2): 216–221. Read More