Sample hints and tips sheet
Making development part of your day |
First set your goals. Define the skills which will make the most difference. |
Set SMART goals – they need to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. |
Break goals down into small steps. |
Set aside a little time every day – 30 minutes every morning will get you further than trying to do a block of work at the end of the week. |
Diarise your development time or it will get eaten by other things. |
Get advice from someone who is already good at the skill. Ask what they do to make it look so easy. |
If developing an active skill such as presenting – watch an excellent presenter and note down all the highly effective behaviours. Then make this your checklist for assessing yourself. |
Get a mentor – someone who will guide, advise and enthuse you. |
Read smartly – many business books give you the ideas in the first chapter and then spend the rest of the book giving you proof they are right! |
Use TED talks for a quick run-down on a particular skill. |
Get feedback and get it regularly. It is the best way to gauge progress. |
Reward success |