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Why create Agile Personal Development Goals?

Abigail Briggs Updated by Abigail Briggs

What is an agile personal development goal?

An agile personal development goal is a specific goal that you set for yourself to grow and develop your skills and knowledge. They can also be aligned to your career goals and the needs of your organisation.

Agile personal development goals are short-term, measurable goals that are focused on your personal and professional development. They are typically set for a period of one to three months, and they are reviewed and updated regularly to reflect your progress and changing needs.

Here are some examples of agile personal development goals:

  • Learn a new programming language
  • Become a certified project manager
  • Develop my leadership skills
  • Improve my public speaking skills
  • Become a mentor to new employees

Why are agile personal development goals important for employees?

There are many benefits for employees who create agile personal development goals. Here are a few:

  • Accelerated learning and growth: When you have specific and measurable personal development goals, you are more likely to focus your time and energy on learning and growing.
  • Increased job satisfaction: When you are constantly learning and growing, you are more likely to be satisfied with your job.
  • Greater career opportunities: Employees who are actively investing in their personal development are more likely to be considered for promotions and new opportunities.
  • Improved work-life balance: When you have a clear plan for your personal development, you are more likely to be able to balance your work and personal life effectively.

Evidence that high performers use agile personal development goals

A study by the Harvard Business Review found that 95% of high-performing employees set and track their personal development goals. The study also found that employees who set and track their personal development goals are more likely to be promoted and to earn higher salaries.

How to create agile personal development goals

To create agile personal development goals, follow these steps:

  1. Identify your personal and professional goals. What do you want to achieve in your personal and professional life? Once you have identified your goals, you can start to develop specific and measurable goals to help you achieve them.
  2. Break down your goals into smaller steps. Once you have set your agile personal development goals, break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. This will make the goals seem less daunting and help you to stay on track.
  3. Create a plan for achieving your goals. Once you have broken down your goals into smaller steps, create a plan for achieving them. This plan should include a timeline, resources, and milestones.
  4. Track your progress and make adjustments as needed. It's important to track your progress towards your agile personal development goals regularly. This will help you to identify any areas where you need to make adjustments.

Real-life examples

Here are some real-life user scenarios for office-based and non-office-based employees creating personal development goals:

Office-based employee

Scenario: Sarah is a software engineer at a tech startup. She's passionate about her work, but she knows that she needs to improve her public speaking skills in order to advance her career.

Goal: Sarah sets a goal to deliver a presentation at her company's next all-hands meeting. She starts by taking a public speaking class and practicing her presentation with her teammates. On the day of the meeting, Sarah delivers a confident and engaging presentation, and she receives positive feedback from her manager and peers.

Non-office-based employee

Scenario: John is a freelance writer who works from home. He's been successful in his career, but he feels like he's in a rut. He wants to challenge himself and learn new skills.

Goal: John sets a goal to write a book on a topic that he's passionate about. He starts by doing research and developing an outline. He then sets a schedule for himself and starts writing. John is dedicated to his goal, and he eventually finishes writing and publishes his book.

These are just a few examples of personal development goals for office-based and non-office-based employees. The possibilities are endless! When setting personal development goals, it's important to make sure that they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. It's also important to have a plan for how you will achieve your goals. By setting and achieving personal development goals, you can improve your career, your life, and yourself.

Closing Thoughts

Agile personal development goals are like a roadmap to success. They help you to stay focused and on track as you work towards your personal and professional goals. So next time you're feeling lost or uninspired, take some time to set some agile personal development goals. You won't be disappointed.

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