Unlock Your Potential: Essential DOs and DON’Ts of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Welcome to the world of professional development, where the options are overwhelming and the expectations are unrealistic.
Or actually that’s what happens way to often – but doesn’t need to. Contrary to popular belief, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is not just about climbing the career ladder or adding credentials to your resume. It’s embracing a mindset of lifelong learning and continuous improvement.
I’ve been working with CPD for a while now, so I want to share some of the DOs and DON’Ts and offer practical advice to help you a bit. From setting SMART goals to maintaining a healthy work-life balance, each point is designed to empower you to take ownership of your professional development.
Let’s embark on this journey together and embrace the endless possibilities that CPD has to offer. Are you ready to take the next step? Let’s dive in!
DOs:
- Engage in projects or research relevant not only to your field but also interests. Remember there’s nothing wrong with gaining a new approach to your work – or maybe learning something completely innovative?
- Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals for your CPD activities. This will help you stay focused and monitor your progress.
- Explore a variety of CPD activities, including workshops, seminars, online courses, and networking events. This will show you diverse learning experiences and perspectives – that’s also pretty useful for your teaching journey!
- Create a CPD plan outlining your goals, chosen activities, and timelines. If you like bullet journalling, using trackers etc. – go for it, as these activities will help you stay organised and motivated. Visualisation is key!
- Track your CPD activities and progress towards your goals. It’s not enough to create a plan, you need to stick to it. I like to check my progress in the evening as there’s no better lullaby than the sound of ticking off checkboxes.
I mean it.
- Allocate time and resources for CPD regularly. They say you need 21 days to build a routine (I can only agree here), and once you’ll get there things will be easier. It’s only 21 days, you can do it!
- Maintain a healthy work-life balance to ensure you have the energy and motivation for CPD activities. If you’re burnt-out, take care of your mental well-being first. Don’t be hasty, as wise Treebeard says.
- Share your knowledge and expertise with others through teaching, mentoring, or presenting at conferences. That’s the way not only to show what you’ve learned, but also become a true leader of CPD in your environment.
- Adapt your CPD plan as needed, based on changes in your career goals or professional interests. Remember: people change, work environment change, so your CPD plans can change as well. The most important thing about your development is that you feel well with it.
- Have fun! Proper development happens when you enjoy it. If you feel forced to do it, reflect on your approach and readjust the scope of your development… or your attitude.
DON’Ts:
- DON’T ignore your professional development needs or assume you know everything already. It’s quite easy to fall into the trap of “I know enough to do my job” – and sooner than later you’ll be confronted with a major organizational change that will be quite hard to adjust to.
- DON’T rely only on formal education or structured programs. Self-directed learning is also important – what’s more, it can be adapted to your real needs and interests.
- DON’T resist change. Embracing change fosters resilience, creativity, and a proactive mindset – and while it can be frightening, it’s also essential for keeping up with the work reality.
- DON’T engage in CPD activities just to fulfill requirements or impress others without genuine interest. If you start CPD because of peer pressure, it will never be meaningful, successful and personally rewarding. Remember to follow your needs, not somebody else’s.
- DON’T underestimate the value of networking or building professional relationships in your CPD journey. While CPD may be mostly reading or online courses, try to join a live event just to meet new people – this will not only broaden your horizons, but also may bring some interesting opportunities.
- DON’T compare your progress or achievements to others. Say no to peer pressure and focus on your own development path!
- DON’T dismiss unconventional or non-traditional CPD activities. Embrace new ways of learning, appreciate new approaches to your field and remember that innovation often arises from confronting diverse perspectives.
- DON’T view CPD as a one-time event or isolated activity. C stands for continuous because it’s a lifelong commitment to learning and growth. It doesn’t have to be connected to you professional life, but once you start learning new things, don’t stop!
- DON’T neglect your CPD plan, update it regularly to reflect changes in your career goals or interests. Be mindful of the way you develop, and just like with a plant, sometimes cut a leaf or a branch to grow somewhere else.
- DON’T lose sight of the bigger picture. After all, CPD is about lifelong learning, not just checking boxes or collecting certificates.
Although checking boxes is pretty cool.
I hope you feel inspired and empowered to take action on your professional development journey. Remember, CPD is not a one-size-fits-all action. What matters most is your commitment to learning, your resilience in the face of challenges, and your willingness to adapt and evolve along the way.
Here’s to unlocking your full potential through the power of CPD. Keep striving, keep growing, and remember: the possibilities are endless.
Happy learning!
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