When I Grow Up-Professional Growth Plan

Are you still trying to figure out what you want to be when you grow up? Despite that college degree, your current job and much thought- you’re just not sure. What you do know: “I don’t want to do this for the rest of my life.”

 

All those lofty goals and high-minded ambition of your youth are waning in the face of corporate culture. The business cycles of recession foiled your plans, filling you with fear and emptying your bank account. How do you get from where you are now to where you want to be?

Step 1- Write a Professional Growth Plan

 

To begin: sit down in front of your computer and free write your goals, ambitions and wants. Ignore money, limitations and all of your commitments and just write it all out. Think of this as the Christmas list you would write for Santa when you were six-years-old or whatever the Jewish, pagan, Islamic, etc. equivalent would be.

Using your cut and paste skills start to organize the list.
Under your goals, ambitions and wants list ACTIONS you will take

-TODAY
-THIS WEEK
-THIS MONTH
-THIS YEAR
-3-5 years to get you to your goals.

 

Then consider money. Will you need to pay tuition? Do you have debts to be paid off?

 

These are not obstacles, this is housecleaning.

 

List your current expenses as best you can. Precision is not essential here.

 

If there is cost associated with your actions, write it down.

 

Step 2- Visualize It

 

You’ve taken the time to sketch out in broad strokes what it is you want.

 

Now it’s time to see what your life looks like with these changes. Sit in a quiet place for 10-20 minutes. Take deep breaths in and out; saying to yourself: “My life awaits me.”

 

Close your eyes and conjure up the images of what your life will look like in the coming days, weeks, months and years taking the actions in your plan.

 

See yourself going to class, or hiring your first employee as a business owner, see yourself sitting at the head of boardroom table. Be specific. What car will you drive? Where will you live? What color shoes will you be wearing?

 

Seeing is believing. Your mind believes what it sees. Show it prosperity, vitality and confidence and it will believe you.

 

Step 3- Get Up, Stand Up

 

It is essential for you to believe what you say. When you say to yourself: “I want to own my own business.” Believe it.

 

Forget the “buts,” “if only,” “should haves,” and “could haves.”

 

It’s natural to have doubts. Nothing you do needs to be done perfectly, you just have to start. Plans are never perfect. To break the status quo of a dissatisfied life, begin with this plan.

 

Start with today. One day at a time you will reach your goals. You will feel better about yourself. You will know that you didn’t give up, you are worth a little risk and effort.