November is often a time of planning - fundraising, strategic planning, and looking to the future.  Often we do this in our organization or team, but may not do it personally, for our own lives and work.  This month, we're focusing on making a professional development plan.  Because the work of social change is as much a calling as a profession, by professional development we mean development of all the parts of you that hunger to learn and grow.

If you are working for social change, you have likely experienced the feeling that you don't know enough, have enough skills, or have the time to learn more.  While finding time and resources can be difficult, getting clear on what you want can be half the challenge.

Making a Professional Development Plan - Six Steps

Step 1 - Take Stock
Assess where you are in your own development, inventory your skills, talents, interests and passions. Look at the context you are working in.

• What is facing you in the future? 
• Where do you need new skills, knowledge or approaches? 
• What questions keep you up at night? 
• Where are you hitting resistance in your work?

Step 2 - Dream Big
Get clear on what you would like to learn, and where you want to grow. Try asking yourself these questions:

• If I could do anything without fear of failure, I'd _______________.
  
• If I had enough money to ensure my basic living for a year, I'd ________.
  
• If I could learn anything, it would be ____________.
• My dream role or job is ______________.

• Where I see myself happiest and most effective is _________________.

Step 3 - Formulate Your Goals
Reflecting on the questions above,  write a clear statements about what you want to learn. Do you want new knowledge, new skills, or out-of-the-box approaches? Is it technical training, interpersonal skills, or financial training that will help you move forward?

Step 4 - Identify Learning Opportunities
Next, look around and see what formal or informal learning opportunities are out there.  Possibilities include:

• New Internal Projects & Responsibilities - Explore what new projects and responsibilities you can assist with in your workplace. Who can you learn from within your organization? 
• Workshops & Seminars - There are short-term trainings available in almost anything - check out your local training organizations. Also investigate opportunities for online learning - these can be realtime or at your own pace.
• Formal Educational Opportunities - You may want to do further education at a local college, or start researching higher education opportunities
• Independent Study - Identify what books, journals or other information sources you want to explore, and make a plan
• Volunteer Opportunities - Join a new board, get outside of your familiar work context, do something that you care about, stretch your range!
• Mentorship/Job Shadow  - Ask someone you respect to support or mentor you.
  
• Professional Conferences - Get caught up on and inspired by innovations in your field or related fields, network with others
• Personal Coaching/Buddy System - If you can afford a personal coach, they can be very supportive to your development.  Another alternative is to buddy with someone in your field or in your organization and support each other as you develop and implement professional development plans.

Step 5 - Evaluate Your Options and Make a Plan
Based on your available time and resources, and your short and long term goa;s, make a plan for what you will do and by when.  Allocate or raise money to cover costs for your plan, and set aside time for learning.

Step 6 - Act and Reflect
As you go down the path you have charted, take time to check in with your goals and dreams.  Is this working for you?  What have you learned?  How have you changed?  Make any necessary course corrections, and revisit your plan regularly.