Are You Going to Hop on the Train to Something Better, or Are You Staying Put? Professional Growth is a Necessity!

Professional growth is something many people go back & forth with. Some people are ok with being comfortable where they are, while others want to constantly shoot for the moon. I’m stuck somewhere in the middle though. I love learning & being challenged, but I hate to change jobs due to my shyness & having to get to know & trust people all over again. Additionally, I could care less about a title! Pay me what I’m worth & keep the label to yourself, please! Let’s travel down the ins & outs of professional development though, shall we?

What’s Professional Growth All About?

Professional development involves anything you want or need to do to improve your work performance, broaden your credentials, or achieve a better job or career. Learning is something I’ve always loved, so participating in activities that can enhance my knowledge comes easy to me. However, the info has to be of value to me & interesting. My attention span isn’t very long anymore, so I can’t sit & listen for too long. If you don’t have my attention in the first 10-15 minutes, my mind is on something completely different. 

     The things we can learn are so vast, so we can never get to a point where we think we know it all. I’ve taken classes on treatment recommendations, ways to teach coping skills, medical terminology, restrictive interventions, & a variety of other stuff concerning the behavioral health field for my full-time job. I can say I’ve applied a lot of that knowledge during the last 20 years, however, there was no better learning for me than actually interacting with clients. Seeing it on paper & seeing it in live action are two very different things. Nothing is by the book!

     In my spare time, I’ve done a lot of research about self-care for Intentional. How can I spread awareness about something I’m clueless about? Nobody would take me seriously, & I wouldn’t blame them. I also wouldn’t suggest something that I haven’t already tried or wasn’t open to trying. Self-care is way deeper than getting a massage or going to the salon. The possibilities are endless for how to take care of yourself!

So I Think I Want to Do Some Professional Growth, But Where Do I Start?

You’ve started thinking “maybe I want to do something different,” but then what happens? You have to find a way to make an idea become reality. That can feel overwhelming just thinking about it. There’s a method to the madness that helps things move a little more smoothly & less stressful. 

1. Set a goal: That initial thought can easily be turned into a goal. You just have to want to achieve it & realize you may have to make some changes or sacrifices to achieve it. Put that thought on paper & keep it somewhere that you can see it frequently. The reminder might help you stay focused when your motivation is low.
2. Have a growth mindset: Your frame of mind has to evolve so you can as well. You have to be more determined, more focused, & more positive to begin receiving more. Recognize that you are capable of growing & weren’t made to stay stagnant. 
3. Develop a plan: You can’t go in there blind once you have your idea. Sit down & write out a plan. Brainstorm any resources, education, & experience you’ll need to bring your goal into fruition. Set deadlines & reminders to stay on track. Hold yourself accountable but also reward yourself for making progress.
4. Prioritize learning: Check out what kind of resources & education is out there that can help you get from point A to point B. Schedule some time to dive into those resources & classes. Your employer may have some that are free for you to attend. Set aside time to read or listen to podcasts concerning the subject. There are places to learn all over the place, so take advantage.
5. Expand your network: Y’all know this is a scary one for me. I don’t like having to talk to people I don’t know, & I definitely hate being in a place where I don’t know anyone. However, I’ve been trying to step outside of my comfort zone & connect with new people. Get out there & go to some networking events. Ask someone that is knowledgeable about your goal to mentor you. You never know who might be able to steer you onto the path to success.
6. Set boundaries: Yes, you’re working on a professional goal, but that doesn’t mean you have to work 24/7. Set boundaries with your workload at work & dedicate a set amount of time towards your goal every week. Make sure you create a healthy work-life balance in the process. Get some rest & take time to reflect on your goal & the progress you’ve made. You can’t be on go mode all the time.
7. Reward yourself: The key to continuing to progress is to reward yourself. Build in your plan what your rewards will be for each milestone. Whether it’s finishing a book, attending a class, scheduling a date with your mentor, or anything else, pat yourself on the back for starting to move towards the end of the finish line. 

My Professional Pathway

There’s always a goal to achieve, especially when it comes to your professional life. On one hand, for Intentional, I’m trying to reach as many people as possible & educate them on the importance of prioritizing their self-care. There’s no limit on the things I can learn & pass along to others. Each one teach one!

     On the other hand, I don’t have a specific professional goal for my career. I just enjoy the field I’m in & like watching the growth in others, whether it’s clients or coworkers. I’ve gone from entry level to supervising folks over the years. I’ve just always made sure to leave my stamp on whatever company I work for. A title or position doesn’t motivate or define me. I just require being paid what I’m worth! Regardless of how near or far you choose to go, max it out!