Dynamic Development
ALL DEVELOPMENT, they say, is positive. Not true! All development is progressive, yes, positive, not necessarily. But to make your own development positive, you have to make the effort, because if you don't, no one else will! Pro-activity is the only answer if you want to develop yourself dynamically!
Make it a point to do something positive toward your own development every day! Either read an article or a book, or even a chapter that gives you some hints on self-improvement. Remember that the world of business is dynamic and vibrant. Careers are like vehicles on a high-speed highway. If you think you can go slow, you'll only get ground into the asphalt! Keep moving at the same speed at least, but switch on the supercharger if you want to get to the very front
Only look back at the past to apply the learning from your mistakes. Do not dwell on your successes alone. Make it a point to learn from other people's mistakes and experiences rather than make the mistakes yourself!
Always face problems as a challenge rather than think of it as a problem alone. This requires a tweaking of your vocabulary. When you take on a job; do it. Never make an excuse for not getting down to it
If the company has sent you to attend a developmental workshop or a seminar, make sure you tell your boss about it and offer to extend your learning there internally
Make it a point to recognise your deficiencies and work at unloading them. Begin eliminating these lacunae with measured regularity
Do online assessment tests. A good one is a career preference test so that you can find out what you will excel at and work towards honing your skills in that field
If you drive to work, listen to tapes of development sages so that their wisdom becomes subliminally imprinted
Join a community of practice or a discussion group as it helps both networking and knowledge-sharing
Aspire to a work/life balance. Too much concentration on professional matters leads to burnout
Focus on what you do by writing notes to yourself to remind yourself about your goals and aspirations. If you have worked out a path, work constantly on it to make it more efficient
A good and respected mentor will add to your development more than any formal kind of education. Fix on a couple of role models and study their modus operandi. You may not be able to duplicate what they have, so adapt and execute
Try to do as much as you can across departments till you find or develop a strength that is unique to yourself
Be open to lateral move within your own organisation as it will make you more versatile and in continuation, more employable
No matter how unpopular the job might be, do it. The experience will do you a power of good. Sometimes volunteering for the unpopular jobs could get you promoted faster
Keep a record of everything you have done on a day. Keep a people database of the persons you have met so that you can refer to them if you are to meet them again and read it over from time to time
Questioning is good, but listening is better. Never assume. You'll always do it wrong
Keep yourself motivated by setting yourself doable goals. Reward yourself when you reach each benchmark
Be open to change and adapt to the circumstances. Rigidity causes stasis
Work at overcoming your personal shortcomings. Be open to feedback from a trusted source
Practice talking aloud and addressing several people at the same time. If your presentation skills are good, you'll be able to sell yourself better
Carry a dictaphone to record ideas as they come to you. Sometimes we tend to forget what we have heard even though we may have been interested in it
Remember, you are the only one you can depend on so believe in yourself and take care of your interests yourself. Be open to everybody but trust only a few. Say "Yes" to everyone, but know when to say "No" too. If you care about yourself, so will others! If you want to do well - you will!
Abhimanyu Acharya
abhi.hyd@cnkonline.com
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