Self Development - Essay Example

Self Development Introduction Every individual has specially defined goals that they wish to achieve at one point in their lives. These goals are established with different motives and cover various aspects of an individual’s socio-economic dimensions of life. The process of achieving these goals often differs from one individual to another. Some people prefer having mentors, whom they share their experiences of life and ways of how they can achieve their goals and objectives in life. All in all, the need to have a system of assessment about ones progress in life is important towards ensuring that the set goals and objectives are achieved in the best way possible. According to Cuseo, & Fecas (2007, self development, also referred to as personal development, comprises of all the activities that are aimed at improving the identity and awareness of an individual. It also includes activities geared towards developing talents, potential, human capital as well as enhancing an individual’s level of employability. For this reason, it plays an important role towards improving an individual’s quality of life, helping them realize the aspirations and dreams in life. Self-development is not just limited to elements of self-help; instead, it comprises of various aspects of formal and informal processes of improving other people as a counselor, manager, teacher, mentor, guide or life coach (Alexander, 2007). As a counselor, one needs to understand the life of the mentees that he they take care of. This knowledge includes their goals in life, activities that they prefer, their friends among others that help in guiding them towards making informed decision in life. This paper presents the process of my self-development, examining at some of the important elements that are helping to shape my future dreams and aspirations. My self-development process I have always been keen on the activities that I do to ensure that they help me in achieving my dreams and admirations. The process of my self-development has enabled me to meet with different people that have helped mentor me in my journey of life (Alexander, 2007). I have always been steadfast in my academic endeavor to ensure that I achieve the best grades that can enable me advance in my studies and get an opportunity to achieve my dream job. I believe that all people have the ability that they need to achieve their goals in life; the only difference lies in the way they implement those strategies. One of the things that I have done, which I believe will add impetus to achievement of my life’s dreams and aspirations is enrolling for a degree in business psychology. I believe that attaining a degree level of education will be an important milestone towards getting a career of my choice and advancing my academic ambitions. So far, I have developed my personal mission and vision statements that are directing my plans towards my desired destiny. Personal mission statement The development of my mission statement indicates the path that I am taking towards achievement of my goals and objectives in life. My mission statement reads as follows; To provide services as an effective leader, having a life that is balanced, and applying ethical principles and moral standards that can create a difference and a positive impact in life. The above personal statement is very important to me since I have a strong belief that one cannot lead other people effectively. For this reason, I have always made efforts to ensure that I develop a strong sense of who I am as well as the values I stand for. This understanding will help me to lead other people when I join my career and even in my other social endeavors. The art of leaving a life that is balanced means that I nurture my physical spiritual and academic aspects for maintaining a good sense of self-esteem and well-being. For this reason, I am always keen on what I do in my private and social life so that I live within the means that I have established. My vision of the future I always see a future full of possibilities in my social and economic life. I believe that the investment that I have done in my academic, social and economic dimensions of life will one day pay off. I have been selective in choosing the people that I interact with so that I achieve the best out of the activities that I do. After analyzing the people that I live and associate with, I choose a few that I believe are essential towards achieving my goals and aspirations. These people, as indicated my stakeholder diagram are helpful in different ways, we share a lot of personal and corporate issues. I have so far benefited from their valuable advice and guidance. My future vision is to graduate from my graduate school, work for a while to gain experience and set up a personal job away from formal employment. One of the reasons that made me join the graduate school for studying business psychology is to understand the factors that influence entrepreneurship growth and development. After that I knew that with such an understanding I will be better-placed to mentor other people into entrepreneurship as well as advice others on better ways of improving their entrepreneurial ventures. What I appreciate most Through self-development I have managed to have a better picture of myself much more than I knew some years ago. One of the things I value most is people. This explains why I have been selective on the people that I have chosen to be close to me. These people, as shown in the stakeholder diagram in the appendix share valuable information that helps me in my decision-making process. Secondly, I value my education very much; for this reason, I have always worked hard to get better grades that can earn me a better career in the field of business. I have always been keen in taking my academic activities including research, examinations and others that I believe are relevant towards my present and future academic and career endeavors. I do not want to settle for anything less until I have done my doctorate studies and philosophy to earn a PhD. The work-life questionnaire that I filled as indicated in the appendix tells of the things that I give much consideration. For instance, I love interacting with people that give me proper guidance and mentorship. Whenever I get the chance, I attend meetings, seminars and conferences where I discuss important business matters with business and other like-minded people. These interactions have helped improve my understanding of the business world and how I can answer some questions regarding business and entrepreneurship. I love reading and meeting with people that are optimistic about their life and destinies. The opportunities that I get to interact and meet with such people have helped shape my goals in life and establish goals related to business and entrepreneurship. The highest priority areas of my life In my self-development, I have prioritized the things that I feel are helpful for helping me achieve my goals. First, the decision to enroll for a degree was an important priority because I knew it would help me achieve my academic and career goals. Secondly, I like hanging out with men of good quality because I believe that I value my esteem very much (McGavin, 2012). As I move one in every step of my life, I always plan to ensure that I continue to have these factors on my priority list all the time. Choosing to have my priority list was informed by the decision to have consistency in the things that I choose and invest my time and resources. It is always important to have consistency in the things that one chooses to venture in. this is because, achieving a dream life can only be achieved when one follows into something that has been decided without changing unless there is need to do so. Personal goals associated with priority development One of the goals that I feel is greatly associated with my priority development is achieving my degree in business education. I felt that enrolling for the business psychology degree would help me have a better understanding of by career goals and help towards the achievement of the goal. Secondly, I have a goal of becoming a person that has a positive influence on other people, helping them to achieve their personal goals. For this to be achieved, I have decided to associate with people of good reputation. The third most important goal is landing into a career, working for some time and finally establishing my own company or organization to help other people in their entrepreneurial journey. This will only be achieved by being consistent in the things that I choose to do. For this reason, I realise that I have to make a consistent analysis and assessment of the progresses that I make. I keep talking to my person mentors to ensure that nothing distracts me from achieving my personal goals (Cuseo, & Fecas, 2007). I look forward to graduating from the graduate school and enrolling for my masters and ultimately into doctorate studies. References Alexander, L. (2007). 675 ways to develop yourself and your people strategies, ideas, and activities for self-development and learning in the workplace. Amherst, Mass.: HRD Press. Cuseo, J., & Fecas, V. (2007). Thriving in college and beyond: Research-based strategies for academic success and personal development. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt. McGavin, P. (2012). Manly maturity: Psychological approaches to personal development. Jamison Centre, A.C.T.: Publicious. Appendices 1. Stakeholder diagram Stakeholder Current expectations New expectations Adjustments needed Supervisor He expects that I develop a perfect understanding of how business organisations are run and the large field of entrepreneurship He believes that this will help me in joining the job market and ultimately have my own business organization Breaching the gap that exists between theory and practice. This make me find a position in the job market when well prepared I need to improve in my research studies on what influences the spirit of entrepreneurship in different countries. Parents They expect me to do my level best and achieve better grades to land a good job and finally register my own business organization They want to keep associating with people, of good quality, who can guide me towards achieving my goals I have to be careful with the people I associate with so that I live to my expectations Best Friend There are always important life issues that we discuss We inspire each other and help each other in some tough times and celebrate our success and failure together Improve in my friendship and general concern for my fiend. 2. Mind map of the paper The paper offers an overview of the process of my self-development and how it is shaping the achievement of my dreams and aspirations. It has an outline that gives a step-by-step process of achieving my goals and objectives. 3. HBDI Profile (see attachment) 4. Work-life questionnaire results (see attachment) How would you describe your lessons at the university? 1. Boring 2. Exciting 3. Other __________ How would you describe the relationship with your 1. Supervisor _____________ 2. Friends __________________ 3. Parents ________________ 4. Other __________________________________ Give your general feelings description about your life in campus and out of campus ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Ideal Position Description I am a person that loves to interact with other people but only if they add quality to my life. I look forward to living a balanced life that inspires other people and sets a good example for them in the academic social and economic dimensions. Read More