Self-Directed Career Development

In the corporate environment of the 21st century, the successful professionals have some very distinct characteristics:

* They have the quality of "Interdependence": they are independently motivated, and widely connected through personal and professional networking relationships.

* They are focused on developing their leadership and communication skills and empowering those around them.

* They create a learning environment and a growth oriented organizational culture, leading to adaptive, successful and productive organizations.

In order to attract and retain such independent and capable employees, organizations must develop a culture of growth and agility and position themselves to meet the challenges of a highly competitive global market.

“If it is to be, it is up to me” – Neal Whitten

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." – Thomas Edison

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” - Confucius

When we talk of self-directed career development, it is important to realize that career development is not something that happens to you, it is what you make of life! A career development plan is a written listing of the short- and long-term goals of a worker pertaining to the current and future jobs. It is a planned sequence of formal and informal experiences to assist the worker in achieving their goals - should be linked to the person’s potential. Career development plans are usually optional; but employers should encourage that all employees develop them, so that their long-term career expectations are realistic and in line with their industry and company's objectives.

Working through your life and career without a plan is like driving around town without a map, or a destination in mind. Drifting through life is not an option in these times of severe global competition, economic uncertainty and shifting geopolitical forces. We have to be cognizant of our direction and focus and make conscious choices for laying the foundation of the rest of our personal and professional life! A self-directed career development plan is the roadmap to success!

Believing in Your Dreams - and New Year Resolutions

Dreams do come true, believing in your dreams is the first step towards achieving them. On this new year's day I find myself reflecting on the past several years and how they have been instrumental in the achievement of my life goals and dreams. The New Year is often a time of reflection, of resolve and resolutions, but most of those resolutions are never realized because we do not believe in our own dreams, and more so in our ability to make them a reality. These resolutions are mostly "wishful thinking carried too far", rather than an earnest resolve to creating lasting change. Change is realized only when the value of the new behavior is greater than the pain of the status quo. Man is a creature of habit, and a change of habit can only be affected through intrinsic motivation and resolve to overcome the barriers imposed by our habits.

Believing in your own ability to make a positive change, and taking action in the direction of its achievement lays the foundation for realizing your dreams, however far fetched they may initially seem. Often we shelve our dreams because we cannot visualize the whole picture of what life would look like if they were to be realized. It is important to think through the possibilities, but not to obssess so much on the minor details that the whole message gets lost in the weeds.

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can... begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it" - Goethe

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase" - Matin Luther King, Jr.

Taking the first step in achieving our dreams and goals sets up a positive momentum that carries us through the invariable ups and downs, the periods of doubt and skepticism from within and especially from others around us. Following through with courage and faith is what sets the achievers apart from the starry eyed (but inactive) dreamers.

"Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there"- Will Rogers