Developing a Comprehensive Personal Development Methodology
One of the key results of this experiment will be a comprehensive methodology for planning, implementation, and tracking of my personal development. As I evaluate different methods for incorporation, I’ll keep the details in posts, and update the Methodology page with the best methods. The initial structure of this methodology is as follows:
Planning
Goal-Setting
I’m currently evaluating several different types of goal-setting methods, including the “corporate white shirt and tie” approach (personal vision statement, mission statement, values, etc), the “brainstorm every cool thing you want to do in life” lifelist approach, and the “7 Habits” approach.
Strategy Development
The several methods I’m looking at include the “corporate white shirt and tie” business strategy approach (what can I say, I think how I’ve been trained) as well as some more “softer side” approaches to determining what areas in your life you should focus on. For now, I’ve broken things up as follows:
1. Continuous Learning. This is an important area to me, one that is completely aligned with my learning personality. I think of this area of life as the “what am I doing to expand my knowledge and experience new things” category. Researching new ideas, studying a new language, learning a new skill, etc.
2. Travel. A similar thread to continuous learning, but an area that I think deserves its own category. Seeing new places always makes me learn something new, but there is no comparison between actually being there, versus looking at someone’s random pictures of a place on the Internet.
3. Career. Being a corporate kind of guy, I’m always looking for ways to either expand my career internally, or look into other alternatives, like small businesses, freelancing, changing companies, or completely changing my career. This is part of my “what if” disease - I’m always wondering if what I’m doing is the best thing for me, my company, or the world. (well, OK, probably not the *whole* world, but something bigger than just me)
4. Family. Becoming a better father, husband, son, brother, etc is a continual process for me (especially the fatherhood part). There are a lot of ideas out there on how to do this best, I’m looking forward to evaluating them. One of the key areas for this category is work/life balance. Since I (usually) enjoy my job, I need to remain vigilant that I don’t forget about my true priorities in life.
5. Health / Fitness. Probably the area where I need the most personal development. I’ve tried a few methods so far, but have never been able to get them to stick. I guess that explains all those late night “get fit in 20 minutes a month” schemes. Being a thirty-something guy, I need to make sure I am around to be a grandfather (no pressure kiddo).
6. Personal Finance. Probably the area where I need the least personal development. I’ve been pretty fortunate to have a healthy paranoia of having an empty bank account for most of my life, so I’m doing OK here. However, there are always new ideas out there, and as my priorities change in life, the way I spend money will likely change as well.
7. Relationships/Community. Beyond the family aspects, I’m looking for ways to keep up with my friends and colleagues, many of whom I correspond with virtually. I’d also include in this category methods to give back to the community, e.g. mentoring, charity, etc.
8. Entertainment. The category is really here so I have an excuse to get GTA IV when it comes out next year, along with a new PS3. All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy indeed.
Implementation Planning
This will be an area to evaluate all the little tips/tricks/tools, etc that can help me move forward in the strategic areas listed above.
Implementation
Obviously the 800 lb gorilla in this area is GTD, which I have implemented with moderate success. I’d like to find a way to incorporate it into some of the strategic areas listed above, as well as the current tools and techniques I use.
Tracking Progress
There are a number of websites and tools that I’ll be evaluating to help keep me on track. As I come up with the implementation plan, selection of which ones to evaluate will be easier.