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.
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