At a reunion of the Harvard Business School class of 1963, the alumni were asked to share advice as they look back over their careers*. There is much wisdom to be gleaned from their experience and perspective. A couple of the comments really stood out to us regarding personal and professional development.
Here is what George Mosher from the class of ‘63 had to say:
“Think through your strengths and weaknesses. Work hard with your strengths and work with other people to balance your weaknesses.”
And from Gerald Wolin:
“Make sure you truly know who you are, your strong points and weaknesses. A solid self-assessment is an important step in the right direction. Many of us do not do this to the full extent.”
Identify your abilities and limitations
We explore this very topic of strengths and weaknesses in our book Time To Get Real! Chapter 7 looks at personal and professional strengths and areas of development and poses the questions, “What are your personal and professional strengths, and what plans do you have, or could you have to further develop your skills and abilities?” An individual can’t accept their limitations or assets unless they can identify them and be honest about them. What are your strengths and areas requiring personal development? How do you find out what they are if you don’t already know?
Much depends upon an individual’s focus on those strengths to acquire, build, or maintain them. In addition, individuals learn throughout their life, whether formally or through experience.
First, we understand that the strengths that an individual has can dramatically change over time. For example, the ability to play a specific sport may diminish. Other strengths, like being able to lead a large number of individuals at work, might increase. Strengths, identified as areas of specific power, energy, knowledge, skill, or intensity that one embodies and can rely upon, are different today than they were yesterday and could be different tomorrow. Much depends upon an individual’s focus on those strengths to acquire, build, or maintain them. In addition, individuals learn throughout their life, whether formally or through experience. We believe learning is life-long; therefore, personal development is life-long.
Prepare for the future
Personal development is defined by an individual’s actions, which improve awareness and self-identity and develop talents, skills, and potential. A company that Time To Get Real! co-author, Alex Plinio, worked for had a motto, “The future belongs to those who prepare for it.” This means that plans for your future can be better achieved if you develop the skills and abilities for who you want to become. In our book, you will take an honest look at areas that need or are desired for improvement. Have you performed a serious self-assessment? What have others told you about your performance, personality, and behaviors?
Plans for your future can be better achieved if you develop the skills and abilities for who you want to become.
Weakness and the need for personal development is a part of human nature. Many people are aware of their weaknesses and should remember that weaknesses can stop us from achieving our goals. We need to recognize our weaknesses so that we can surmount or manage them. You also need to understand that if weakness cannot be overcome, there are ways to help. For example, organizing your team at work and making sure those team representatives have strengths in areas in which you may be weak. Or at home, agreeing with family members that certain responsibilities can be divided appropriately.
Take the first step toward development
To initiate and sustain changes in yourself can take a day or a lifetime. The change that you seek can be made with grit and determination, but you have to mean it. And the only way to start is to start. Choose the area of development in which you seek change, commit yourself to that change, and take your first step. It will lead to the next. Remember, we can help.
We recommend that in addition to reading our book Time To Get Real! and working through the Life and Career Planning Model© that it provides, consider some amount of personal coaching that can help you to discern and activate your life’s vision and move you toward the best life and career that you deserve. All Life and Career Planning LLC coaches are experienced and certified in the Life and Career Planning Model© and serve as your accountability partner as you read each chapter of the book and capture your thoughts in the interactive exercises. To inquire about working with a coach, click here.
*To read more advice from the Harvard Business School class of 1963, click here.