Preparing a Personal Learning Plan

Introduction

Each of us is responsible for our own learning. How many times have you heard that? So, what are you doing about it? Do you idly wish to be a better public speaker? Do you wait for the day that your golf game will improve telling yourself I just don’t get out enough? Or, are you in action everyday? Many people are on a fast track. You can be too. It only takes ambition, determination, and a plan of action.

What Do We Mean by a Learning Plan?

A learning plan is goal oriented, specific, actionable, and uncomplicated. It might fit on a single sheet of paper or a 3 x 5 card. It could be as simple as a goal with a few steps. So what is the big deal? The big deal is without a learning plan tomorrow will likely look like today. You will just be getting more practice at what you already know how to do. A learning plan is a deliberate attempt to change that -- to build your competence.

Perhaps you have heard someone speak of all the time they put into their many-page learning plan. If you were to ask how much progress they are making, don’t be surprised to learn they have overwhelmed themselves by all there is to learn. A well-crafted learning plan can provide focus to your learning. It can serve as a basis for others to support you in your ambitions. In this guide we outline an approach that will support your ambitions and the learning that is needed.

Basic Steps for Preparing Your Learning Plan

1. Start with your goals. Be clear for yourself why you are learning. This serves as a context for your learning plan. Where are you going? What do you want from your career? What new role would you like? What responsibility do you want that you don’t have today?
2. Use recent performance assessments. Refer to your performance appraisal, peer review, 360º review, personal assessments, etc. as a basis for understanding your current performance. Do an inventory of your skill and gifts.
3. Get a third-party perspective. Use your supervisor, a trusted friend, mentor, or coach. Explore the assessments. Together look to create more powerful assessments.
4. Settle on an assessment to guide your plan. What one behavior or skill area will contribute most at this time to your goals? Don’t hesitate to build on your strengths.
5. Set a single SMART(1) goal (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, & trackable). Don’t hesitate to stretch yourself. Set out to accomplish the goal in 6 to 8 weeks. You may want to anticipate accomplishment of this goal by readying a second SMART goal. However, avoid all temptation of multi-tasking your learning. Accomplish one ambitious objective before going on to the next.
6. Establish learning practices in support of you SMART goal. What will you do on an everyday basis for practice? What will you do on a weekly basis? How will you assess that you are making progress?

Page 1 of 4

Preparing a Personal Learning Plan
A Guide for Ongoing Career Growth
By Hal Macomber