Self Development Strategy

My strategy for self development is simple; set aside an hour a day to develop. This development includes a variety of resources, which I select from depending on the mood.

Blogs – The Gig http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/category/the-gig/, Kapp Notes http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/

LinkedIn Group Discussions – Instructional Design Professionals group (IDP), Learning, Education and Training Professionals Group, UVA, VCU, and Former MCI and CSC Employees groups


Certification Study – I am studying for a PMP certification

Networking – Former co-workers, Linked In group members, former classmates

Professional Magazines and Journals – Training Magazine, E-SchoolNews, elearn Magazine

Professional Organizations – ASTD, E-learning Guild

Webinars – Pod Casting, Virtual Training Worlds

Doctoral Program research – Researching doctoral programs

Software Refreshers – Practice using different software programs that are used in instructional design

Writers Block

It’s been a while since I have blogged. I believe I’ve had the worst case of writer’s block that I have ever had in my life. Between the pressures of work and home, I couldn’t even come up with topics to write about. Nevertheless, in my quest to get out of this writer’s funk, I’ve decided to at least report on what I have been reading and thinking about. Here’s what’s been going through my mind professionally lately:

• The professional differences of Gen X-ers and Gen-Yers
• Multimedia software programs – what’s the best development tool
• Government contracting – trends, tools, strategies
• Strategies to improve professional motivation and inspiration
• Starting a non-profit for teenagers – manners, etiquette, chivalry, etc
• K-12 Public education – Trends

Check Your University

During these hard economic times many of us have been touched or know people who have experienced layoffs. I personally know several. I was reminded today of a job hunting resource that is invaluable....your university. I received a reminder of this as I checked postings in one of my universty groups I belong to on a career networking site. There were numerous postings concerning positions posted with the university's career services. Curiousity got the best of me and I looked at them. Not only were there position postings, there were also various articles, career tools and counseling opportunities. When giving advice to people who have experienced job loss, dont forget this valuable resource.

2009 ...On a Mission!

This year I have been reading a lot about the following strategies and methodologies currently used to enhance learning.

Mobile Learning

Gaming for the teaching of facts and concepts

Virtual Learning environments

For 2009 I am still focusing on self development. These are the areas that I want to continue to delve into. All are fascinating. Some are old hat, just repackaged in a 21st century way...gaming has been around forever. However, corporate America and the government are now starting to embrace it. Karl Kapp does a wonderful job addressing effective learning techniques to use with gaming. Additionally, last year there was a fantastic workshop at the ASTD conference on Virtual Learning using Second Life (Where are my SLers?? raise your arm...your whole arm, lol).

I especially would like to explore mobile learning more. I just recently discovered that there were training videos on Youtube.com that can be viewed on your mobile device...duhhhh (Ok, I had a ditz moment with that one). My son and I actually learned how to change a front headlight on a car. It was a comical scene; me, him, the car, the headlight, and my Blackberry. Surprisingly, I think it is actually training that will stick with us. I don't know why I didn't realize that earlier... Nevertheless, I am sure there has been research of how to effectively train using mobile devices. In fact I am 100% sure of it.

Anyway, this is 2009's mission. So expect to see more information about these trends.

Good Times...Good Times

I once worked at a place where employees in our group had such a good time at work that it really didn't seem like work at all. Now mind you all team goals were achieved, all deadlines met, and all clients were ecstatic. However, the work culture and chemistry of our group created a dynamic environment where we all were happy to do our jobs.

• Teams were not micromanaged
• Self development was embraced
• Individuals set their own work schedules within a set of core hours
• Time lines were realistic
• Creativity and new ideas were embraced

Even if we disagreed with one another, there was a willingness to listen. We all knew that in the end the quality of the work was what mattered. Sadly, once our government project was delivered most of the group's employees were moved to new projects, moved to new companies, or fell to the downsizing axe that is so prevalent these days. However, the picture is reminiscent of the good times.

Its a Different World Mom!

Here is a wonderful article from The Gig, with Nadira A. Hira,

http://thegig.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2008/11/10/planning-your-career-curve/

It reinforces my whole concept of going backwards to go forwards. I was speaking with my mom about some of these points and her generation just does not get it...its a different world.

2008 Training Magazine Salary Survey - The Buck Stops Here

For your enjoyment...
http://www.managesmarter.com/managesmarter/images/pdfs/trg_20081001_salaryreport2008.pdf

Moving Backwards to Move Foward

Fear is a real aspect of our professional lives. In some cases fear inhibits us from making the hard choices we need to make in order to progress professionally. For instance, the fear of failure may prevent an employee from voluntarily taking on new tasks and responsibilities. Additionally, this same fear may cause employees to remain in the same non-growth position without looking to move outside their boundaries. However, there is another type of fear that needs to be addressed: the fear of going backwards.

As learning professionals we have always looked at movement forward as the meter of professional growth and success. However, in some instances moving backwards, when done correctly, promotes growth and success. There are three instances where moving backwards will benefit your move forward. However, the trick is to not remain in the backward motion. Always have a target goal you are trying to achieve by moving backwards and a time frame:

Gain experience in an area where your resume is lacking
Why? Many employers look for specific experience for specific industries. If you would like to make a move into training within a specific industry, it would be worth your while to look at mid level or consulting positions. Keep in mind when doing so stress your experience in the Learning field. Once the experience is obtained, you may then target the job you want in the industry with your combination of previous learning industry experience and the new experience you have gained.

Reduce duties to gaining higher lever education
Why? Adding some extra letters to your name always adds depth of knowledge and credibility to your background. If your goal is to be in upper management in the Learning field, it is essential that a post graduate degree be obtained. While earning the degree it is ok to reduce duties or take a sabbatical. Once obtained, the combination of the degree and your past and present experience will assist in gaining your target position.

Reduce duties or take a job in a different job function to attend to personal affairs
Why? In most cases when a person has personal affairs to attend to, their mind is focused on those affairs. As a result, quality of work suffers. Do not jeopardize your brand by allowing personal affairs to impact the quality of your work. A reduction of duties, reassignment or sabbatical would benefit your professional reputation in the long run.

Remember the key is to target the goal that is to be achieved by moving backwards, have a time frame to reach that goal, and do not stay in a backwards momentum. Don't fear moving backwards to move forward.