Create a future-proof personal development plan

- "Plans are worthless, but planning is everything." This quote by United States President Eisenhower, is one of my favorites. It talks about the reality that rarely do things go according to plan, but you should still build the plans because when unexpected situations arise, you'll be able to adapt quickly without falling off the rails. Situations like when AI disrupts the way we work. In the previous video, we talked about understanding your areas of growth in the context of AI and project management as input to developing your personal development plan. Remember, the context that I'm referring to are the four themes of this course, embracing AI in project management, cultivating strong relationships, diversifying your project management experience, and developing your project management knowledge. And now that you have clarity on where to improve in these areas, you are ready to take the next step of building your plan. Using SMART goals, here is my go-to approach. If you're not familiar with them, SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Specific goals are clear and concise. Measurable goals are quantifiable, allowing you to track your progress. Achievable goals are realistic and within reach. Relevant goals align with your aspirations and the industry demands. And time-bound goals have a defined deadline, creating a sense of urgency and accountability. Combining all of them form the foundations of a rock solid personal development plan. So an example of a SMART goal for the team embracing AI and project management might be, I will complete an AI integration course to increase my self-assessment with AI tools from three to four. I will achieve this by dedicating 10 hours a week for learning relevant to my goal of integrating AI in my projects with a deadline of six months. Or one for diversifying project management experience could be, I will manage a medium scale project in healthcare, expanding my project portfolio to include three diverse industries. By networking with professionals in these sectors, I will secure these opportunities enhancing my industry expertise within the next 12 months. One mistake that I often see project leaders make is that they commit to more SMART goals than they can handle. My general recommendation is that you should focus on three to five goals over a 12-month period. You can pick one goal per theme, or choose multiple goals across just one or two themes. This could be based on your desires or perhaps the circumstances at work. Ultimately, there is no wrong choice. Set up your smart goals and start working on them. Regularly evaluate your progress, and when you hit your goals, celebrate, take a brief break, and begin working on the next set. In the ever-changing profession of project management, if you remain steadfast in your development, you are destined for a resilient future. Believe, achieve, succeed. Let's go.