Any healthy work environment is going to want its employees to show up as their most authentic selves. After all how often do you hear about the importance of your personal and professional development? Nonetheless, it could be tricky figuring out how to balance your personal life with your work life and if either arena is lacking in something. This post has the eighteen questions you need to answer to see if you’re able to balance both your personal and professional development at work. 

We spend a lot of time at work. It’s an integral part of our lives but it’s not all of it. As someone who tends to work ten to twelve hours a day, I know this would be impossible if I wasn’t myself. I also know how important it is to check in on yourself and see how you’re doing. It’s the only thing that can save you from burning out.

After answering these eighteen questions you’ll be able to diagnose if there’s anything missing in your work-life balance. And if you discover there’s something missing or something that should be corrected, then you’ll know how to start working on it.

Essentially self-reflecting is the cure for an unhealthy work-life balance and questions are how it’ll be served on today’s menu.

This post is all about your personal and professional development at work and how you can measure it with these eighteen questions.

18 Questions on Personal and Professional Development

Personal and Professional Development

Questions Related to your Work Life

1) Do you have the opportunity to learn something new at work every day?

There is nothing worse than doing a job that is not challenging in the least. We are not robots and if the idea of spending your life on a repetitive action doesn’t bother you then please enjoy away.

If you are in an environment where you do not have the ability to do more, see more, or create more, then you should look for another job. Or you should ask to take on more responsibilities.

When you take the time to discover new ways to learn at work, you open yourself up to a world of opportunities. People will notice you and give you the chance to prove yourself.

2) Do you know what your strengths are, and what you have to offer?

Sometimes we work so hard and we never take inventory of what our failures and successes are. If you don’t do this you’ll never know where your strengths lie. And then you’ll never be able to capitalize on them.

As people make their way up the hierarchy of a company, they’ll find themselves doing more of what their good at and less of what they’re not able to accomplish very well.

Take stock of what’s easy for you and when people ask for your assistance. If you’re able to package your services in a way that benefits you and the requestor then you’ll both win. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself doing a repetitive task or you won’t have the opportunity to grow your strength.

3) Do you know what your weaknesses are, and do you have an opportunity to work on them? Is there an opportunity to work on your personal and professional development?

It’s almost important to know where you could use a bit of help. Yes, the goal is always to delegate or ask for assistance when it comes to your weakness but that doesn’t mean you’ll completely disassociate yourself from it.

Once you nail down what needs a bit more development, find safe places to work on the skill. This will allow you to better understand how to manage it in the future and keeps you involved with how your colleagues leverage the skillset.

The last thing you want is to not be in the room where it happens. Where decisions are made and opportunities are given.

4) Is there a role you aspire to have?

Look around your workplace. Is there anyone you’d like to be? Any jobs you could do better?

Having a role model is a great way to stay motivated. You could also model your career plan after their resume. Or at least take them out for a coffee and pick their brains.

If there isn’t someone like this in your immediate workplace then find someone outside your walls. That’s the beauty of the internet, information is accessible.

5) Do you have the resources you need to do your job?

Hopefully, you don’t have this issue but if you do then you need to find a solution otherwise you’re allowing a massive bolder to keep steamrolling you.

In your day-to-day functions do you have all the information you need to accomplish your tasks? If you don’t, then speak to your manager and ask to have exposure to what you need.

This may look like asking to participate in different meetings or having access to programs and applications your job utilizes to function. This one can definitely be solved with just a bit of communication.

6) Do you have the tools you need to do your job?

Look at the scale of how your business operates and distinguish whether your tools make your life easier or harder. Also, think about how you like to work and see if you can adapt your tools to perform your needs.

An easy way to think about this is how you organize yourself. Do you have access to excel if you’re dealing with numbers? Do you have access to Outlook or a calendar system if you’re constantly scheduling different matters? These are basic needs every office should provide you with.

However sometimes our needs are a little more specific. So make sure to calculate where you’re losing time and see what work can be outsourced or automated with tools.

7) Are training or learning opportunities available to you? Something related to your personal and professional development?

Employees are a company’s greatest asset and employees are provided with pay, benefits, and opportunities. Opportunities don’t just come in the form of career progression but also in access to education.

Check to see if your company has tuition reimbursement available or if there is training available for you to take. If anything you should ask your boss for the funds to take a class and let them know how this could bring value to the company.

When you don’t take the time and effort to grow, then eventually you’ll find yourself feeling stuck and life will become monotonous.

8) Do you have a mentor or someone that’s helping to guide you?

We could all use a friend or an ally to lean on. It helps you have clarity when you’re analyzing a situation and the advice you’ll receive is priceless.

Getting a mentor may seem intimidating but it depends on your approach. You’ll find more times than not that people are happy and willing to help others get to the top. So how do you start?

The best thing to do is invite someone out for a coffee and pick their brains. Do this with a few people and stay in contact. Slowly you’ll find someone you mesh well with and that wants to stay up-to-date with your development.

That’s how you get a mentor. You don’t ask someone to marry you on your first date.

9) Are there enough hours in a day to do your job?

Yes we all get busy at work and yes we all have downtime but those moments should be the exception, not the norm.

If you find yourself starting work early and leaving late because you’re trying to keep up with deadlines then you are headed for disaster. That is a recipe for hating your job and life. Take a look at how you can better manage your time or take things off your plate so that you can work normal hours.

If you have the opposite problem where you have too much downtime then look at who your business is serving and how it can be done better.

Personal and Professional Development

Questions Related to your Personal Life at work

1) Do you feel like you can be yourself at work?

Do you monitor everything you say for fear of saying the wrong thing? Do you dress in a way that is uncomfortable for you? Do you feel safe sharing personal stories?

If any of these seem to be the case then either your company is not lucky enough to have you or you’re scared of being yourself in fear of being rejected. The best thing you can do is open yourself little by little to some trusted colleagues and see where it takes you. It might surprise you how quickly people will nurture you for who you are.

2) Are you able to collaborate in a way that your thoughts and your colleagues’ ideas are accounted for?

Is anyone listening to what you have to say or are they just hearing you? If you feel like your ideas and thoughts are not being validated that’s usually because of the individual you’re specifically trying to connect with.

If that’s the case share your experience with them by saying something along the lines of, “I really enjoyed our conversation on X. Do you mind giving me some feedback on Y? I’d appreciate any insight you could share.” Then from there, you’ll quickly see if it was an innocent misunderstanding or an HR issue.

3) Do you see a difference between where you started and where you are? Do you like what you see? Do you like who you’re becoming?

We’re all trying to become the best version of ourselves.

Take a look at yourself and think do I like how I treat and work with people? If we’re unhappy with this connection then do something about it. Nothing is more important than your team and when you take care of your team, you take care of yourself and the job. We don’t live in a vacuum.

4) Before work do you feel energized or defeated?

Sometimes you’re not a morning person because you haven’t found the right routine or sometimes it’s because you really dislike your job.

So experiment and find the best morning routine in the world. If that doesn’t do it for you then start looking for another job. One bad morning is one thing, but if every morning is a bad morning then your job is the issue.

5) After work do you feel energized or defeated?

Obviously, we’re all tired after work. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t be carrying the weight of the workday on your shoulders. Find ways to decompress and schedule fun activities for yourself.

After work, I personally like to take a 45-minute walk to let go of the day. Something that simple can help you separate your work life from your personal life. The worst is when everything blends together.

6) What do your evenings and weekends look like? How does personal and professional development relate to your free time?

Have you ever spent a weekend worried about a meeting taking place on Monday? It’s natural if it’s your first time but if these nerves become a habit then we need to work on our boundaries. Your time outside of work is for you to live your life.

Don’t become a prisoner of your responsibilities. Have boundaries in place letting people know when and where they can contact you. Otherwise, make sure you fill your evenings and weekends doing something that brings you joy.

7) Do you have goals outside of work that you’re actively pursuing?

It’s important to have a career goal. To know what you’re life will look like and all the factors that encompass it. But if you’re going to work hard then you need to play hard and have hobbies that can satisfy the different sides of you.

Without outside interests, your life will become dominated by one topic and you close yourself off from the world and you narrow your limitations.

8) Do you have a balance in your life? If your job is very analytical and encourages you to use your mental capabilities are you physical in your free time? If your job is labor-heavy, do you use your mental capabilities in your free time?

Humans have a whole body and what you don’t use you lose. If you become incredibly athletic and don’t read or work on your mental capabilities then you’ll have a difficult time connecting with other human beings or even yourself. There’s power in observing and articulating what you see.

If you’re a complete genius but never use your body, then you’ll lose the stamina and endurance to journey through the outdoors. The things you’ll see and physically experience will be limited.

Let’s not allow ourselves to have limitations.

9) When was the last time you thought this was fun? And how often do you incorporate that into your life?

We all have moments where we smile or laugh so hard it hurts. This is the kind of behavior that needs to become a daily practice. Without it, life would be insufferable.

Above all make sure you make time to enjoy happiness every day.

This post was all about personal and professional development.

 

We all have a very clear image of what a businessman or woman looks like. There’s a level of mystic there. And it’s not their money or what they look like. It’s the full package. It’s professionalism. This post is going to dig deep into what that means and why it’s sexy.

There are two kinds of office workers. There are the power players with the grand roles, who ooze charm and are usually the company’s golden child. Then there’s everyone else. And everyone else is fighting a rat race. I think it’s obvious who you’d rather be.

After working in corporate America for a few years, it’s become clear to me what encompasses these heavy hitters. And news flash it’s not their diploma. Don’t get me wrong they’re all very well educated but it’s not that slip of paper that speaks for them.

If you’re looking to become someone who leads a platoon of people, constructs an empire, and changes the world… for the better of course. Then read this post so you can start adopting these traits now.

This post is all about what makes up professionalism and how it’s one sexy mother.

Professionalism

1) Being Decisive

Making a decision is not an easy feat.

The ability to absorb and understand your options in a way that allows you to determine what is best is something that takes practice. You can’t be rash and just follow your first thought. But you also can’t meddle away at an idea until you’ve profoundly confused yourself. It’s a complete art form and a necessary characteristic if you want to embody a professional.

A professional is a leader who people look to for guidance. And you can’t exactly guide others if you’re having trouble guiding yourself. There are also a ton of great things that come your way when you’re decisive. It opens you up to a world of opportunities. People will want to work with you. And you’ll have the ability to achieve more for the world and in turn yourself.

Once you make a decision you know when and where you’re going and eventually, you figure out how to do it all. If that doesn’t scream I’m in control of my life and I’m ready to take it on then I don’t know what does.

And having control is very sexy. It means you know your worth and you know how to use it.

2) Well Dressed

Being well-dressed means knowing how to present yourself. This is not about vanity.

We all play a role in life and we all know what those roles look like. A nurse wears scrubs, a lawyer has a briefcase, a banker has a tie and an artist has paint on their clothes.

These are visuals that signal to yourself and others what you dedicate yourself to and who you are. It’s a badge and it tells others how they can connect with you. Once you embrace your role and have fun dressing up for your part then you’ll become a magnet.

More work will find its way to you. People will trust you. And most importantly you’ll build momentum. This momentum will allow you to find your groove, your way of doing things, and this rhythm you invent is how charm transcends itself.

And charm is so darn sexy. It elevates the experiences people share with you and makes the smallest of tasks a million times more amusing. And it all starts with how you dress.

3) Confidence

This is probably the most obvious item on the list. I don’t really have to express why confidence is sexy, so instead, I’ll share how it impacts professionalism in the workplace.

When you work with other human beings you quickly discover what everyone’s comfort level is. There are those who want to be told what to do, there are those who like to do their own thing and there are those that are neutral. But eventually, we all need to work together and agree on one approach.

Someone who is confident will speak up for themselves and articulate what their point of view is and why. They don’t need permission to do this. They want to contribute to the conversation. And this is what makes the world go round.

A person who is confident has the ability to see what they want and go after it, in the most respectful of ways. Without this there would be no progress and growth is sexy.

I mean think of it this way. Do you like the internet? It took a lot of progress and growth for us to get to where we are now.

4) Organized

Organization is a practice that keeps us all together. Without it, no one would know how to play the game of life and there would be no point in anything we do.

As a professional, you need to be organized in order to keep track of what’s going on. When you’re able to plan and measure what you do, then you can work towards goals. And as you accomplish your goals, they’ll get bigger and better. Eventually, you’ll find success. This is how empires are built. People become addicted to reaching success and repeating the process over and over again.

Being able to see and take advantage of the things you can accomplish is so incredibly sexy because it means you can have anything you want in this world. And the realization that you don’t have any limitations casts a beam of power over you. You’re a force to be reckoned with.

In an office this means, everyone wants you on their team. Because you are able to make things happen.

5) Communication Skills

You ever meet someone that was so incredibly beautiful but then they opened their mouth and you thought “no thank you”? Or you ever meet someone that was ok looking but then they started to speak and you were left completely enamored?

Being able to connect with others verbally or in writing is an art form. And I don’t mean speaking grammatically correct or being able to recite poetry. I mean your relationship with humanity.

Your communication skills encompass your awareness of the world around you, your sensibility when it comes to inclusion and empathy for others, how you demonstrate respect, what interest you may have in others, if you’re able to listen and how you relate.

You’re communication skills ultimately dictate what every relationship in your life is going to be like, including the one with yourself. Needless to say, this is important in a workplace because you need to be able to connect with others.

As for sex appeal, who doesn’t want to be heard, understood, and respected? Communication skills allow you to draw people out of their shells and help them become the best version of themselves.

6) Collaboration

No man is an island and no one can do everything alone. We live in a world built on societies and communities. It’s a beautiful thing.

Professionals are people that know how to work with each other and when I say work with each other I don’t just mean just talking to one another. A great collaborator is someone who is able to heighten people’s strengths and assist them with their weaknesses. They are able to decipher what everyone is good at and connect everyone together.

It’s amazing when you put these people in the middle of a situation, they’re able to see the invisible threads that connect us all together and leverage them in a way that allows us all to succeed.

That is the kind of knight in shining armor we all need. The one that passes you the sword to defeat the dragon. Not the one that helps you run away from your problems.

7) Dependable

Last but not least we all want to know what’s in store for us. And when you’re dependable that builds trust and that leads to strength.

Imagine you’re invited to present at a super important meeting. The heads of the company see something special in you. And all that’s left is for you to present your thoughts on a topic your teams have been working on. You’ve done all the work and you know exactly what to do.

That meeting could lead to a promotion, landing a deal, or saving the company. Now, what would you think if I said those opportunities are available to you every day, but you just don’t see them? Well, that’s the case. People at work have a better idea of who you are than you could ever imagine. And you’ll only see it with time after you’ve proven that you’re dependable.

That’s why being dependable and trustworthy is one sexy mother. It’s your silent savior. It doesn’t come down from the heavens with a large billowing cape. It’s your own personal bodyguard that watches you from across the room.

This post was all about the sexiness of professionalism, professionalism skills, and professionalism in the workplace.

Before you’re able to build a house you need to construct a strong foundation. The same is needed when you’re trying to level up your professional Development. This post will go over three effective and time-saving hacks you need to follow in order to build a foundation for professional development.

Everyone wants to have more money, more opportunities, and more happiness in their lives. And it’s all possible as long as you take the time to build your empire brick by brick.

Knowing what you need to excel in life is half the battle. That’s why it’s so important to have a game plan and a strong foundation before taking one single step. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself wasting time, energy, and money.

After reading this post you’ll have a toolbox encompassing the things you need in order to level up your professional development, as well as an understanding about where your opportunities lie.

This post is all about the three effective and time-saving ways you can go about building a strong foundation for professional development.

Foundation for Professional Development: Resources

The first step in creating a foundation for professional development is to align yourself with the right resources. Before any action is taken you need to become fully aware of what’s available to you. And information is not a one-stop shop. You’ll be undergoing an evolution of thought processes and so the resources you select, are for you to take through the building of your foundation and the trajectory of your career.

1) Influencers

Influencers have a very negative connotation but that shouldn’t be the case. These people are able to influence such a large audience because they’re doing something right. You have to admit there’s a level of work ethic and dedication that one can at least aspire to.

The trick with influencers is deciding who you want to be influenced by and why.

There are plenty of business moguls and entrepreneurs who on a daily bases are sharing the things that they are working on. And I’m sure at least one of them personifies that professional life you’d like to lead.

So, find an influencer who does the kind of things you’d like to do and learn by following them along on their journey. Use them as a resource and as motivation.

2) Online Media

The amount of information that is available online is completely enormous. Whether it is emails, blogs, podcasts, or videos you can learn about literally anything in any format you’d like.

Take advantage of this digital revolution and select where you’ll be receiving your information from. And keep up with it!

Building a foundation means having a consistent stream of information feeding and inspiring you.

3) Offline Content

There is a ton of amazing information out there that is not online. Books, manuals, and newspapers are able to provide you with original information that tends to be more credible than its online counterparts.

If you want to delve very deep into a topic then books are your best bet. There are no limits to how many words are used and ideas tend to be fully flushed out.

To build a strong foundation you can’t have a base-level understanding of what you’re trying to achieve. You first need to become aware of all the nuances and intricacies that will play a part in your professional development.

4) Education

Taking classes is the easiest and laziest way to get what you want. Think of it this way, you don’t need to do much researching or organizing to understand an idea or how something is done.

After you pick a school or class to attend, your instructor hands you this magical sheet called a syllabus. And that syllabus pretty much outlines what you’re getting out of the course and how you’re getting it.

In fact, it’s the perfect blueprint for creating your own career map.

Foundation for Professional Development: Tools

Nothing is mightier than the pen or your tools. Building up your toolkit plays an integral part in developing the foundation for your professional development. Without it, you have nothing to take into battle or to shield you against possible obstacles.

1) Calendar

There is magic to time-blocking. Calendars and planners are not about creating wish lists of the things you’d like to accomplish.

When you get into the habit of using your calendars to make decisions over how you spend your time, then you’ll find yourself in control of your actions and what you can make happen. Calendars allow you to actually accomplish the goals you set for yourself by making them accessible.

Finding the right calendar is imperative in constructing your foundation. Without it, you’ll become someone with great ideas but no actual follow-through.

2) Microsoft Office

People underestimate how much can be accomplished on programs like excel, PowerPoint, and word. Introduce these tools into your arsenal immediately.

At the end of the day we all obtain information in some sort of capacity, so ask yourself what kind of information are you working with. We collect information not for ourselves but in an attempt to connect with others. And in order for it to be used to connect with others, it needs to be presentable.

PowerPoint helps you create presentations and allows you to showcase information in an accessible manner.

Word is the perfect tool for writing long passages of information that need to be organized and shared with an audience.

Excel is your number-driven platform. It’s best used for calculating and organizing metrics and finances.

Each one of these tools serves a specific purpose and if leveraged correctly it’ll represent you as a credible and professional individual.

3) Email

We all have email but do we all leverage it for its capabilities?

Sure you’re able to receive emails from different people but you’re also able to flag messages for yourself, categorize them, store them into different folders and automate some of your responses and notifications.

As you build your foundation for professional development you want to think about the best ways to protect your time. Where better to do this than during people’s first point of contact with you?

If you’re able to create funnels for your interactions, you’ll be able to create a consistent experience for those who are connecting with you. And in the world of branding that’s everything.

4) Note Taking

Sure we live in a digital world but we also want to pay homage to our roots. Pen and paper.

When you write something on paper, whether it be notes or something greater you’re using a different skill set. And this different skill set will allow you to think outside of the box.

Also, you have to admit that just being on a computer can be distracting between notifications and ease of access to social media sites. It can be difficult to stay focused. Do you know what can be so beautifully boring that you have no other choice but to remain focused? Paper.

Foundation for Professional Development: Opportunities

1) Intern

Most people take on internships for college credits but if done right, it can lead you to make amazing connections. And not just with your employers but with your colleagues.

Being surrounded by people with similar interests and ambitions will allow you to develop a community where you can grow and flourish.

Being an intern also allows you to figure out what area of an industry you enjoy best. So try it and find the perfect fit for you.

2) Volunteer

Unfortunately, most internships are only available for college students but if there’s a will there’s a way. Instead of an internship maybe try volunteering?

Also, the great thing about volunteering is most employers would be so appreciative that they’ll go out of their way to make sure you’re happy and well taken care of. Hey, it could even lead to a job opportunity.

Lastly, if you volunteer you don’t have to commit for an extended period of time so it’s an incredibly easy way to try out different things and see what works best for you.

3) Events

Who doesn’t love a good party or seminar or get-together?

Events are a goldmine when it comes to looking for an opportunity to connect with others.

Believe me, I understand they can appear to take a lot of time and energy but have you ever had a conversation with someone who fuels your desires? In events, those types of conversations are plentiful and could lead you to a partnership or a new way of thinking. Both are equally effective when building a foundation for professional development.

4) Social Groups

There are plenty of online communities that are just as helpful as in-person interactions.

These communities exist via Facebook groups, Reddit groups, meetup groups, and other social media-hosted groups. Joining these groups allows you to leverage other people’s experiences as your own. You’ll learn about the pitfalls and obstacles they’re undergoing and how to navigate your way through them.

There’s nothing better than realizing you’re not alone on your journey and you have trusted allies that can help you through. Make sure to take the time to find the perfect group for you.

This post was all about what you need to build a foundation for professional development.