Personal Development - Why is it Neccessary?

The word person refers to an individual, when it becomes personal it turns into an object, or/and an intangible character that is associated with that individual. 

Today, let's talk about personal development because it's an essential part of our formation. What do we mean by Personal Development I hear you ask?

Personal development can be looked at in the perspective on your personal attributes and characteristics and also from the aspect of your career.

Your characteristics, beliefs and attributes define you, this is what differentiates you from someone else. Some of these components can be an added advantage as well as it can be your greatest set-back. So how do  you define which ones are positive and which ones are negative?

The thing is there is no real answer to this because it can only be analysed on a case by case basis however they are key characteristics that no matter the situation it will work in your favour some of them are:

• Kindness 
• Humility
• Organised
• Diplomatic

When dealing with people in various capacities these qualities are essential whether it's your interacting with fellow colleagues at work or family and friends.

Why is it necessary to focus on Personal Development?

With our ever changing society, as individuals we need to develop ourselves to ensure we remain relevant in our industries. This can include:

• Broadening your knowledge base with new technologies and news in your sector
• Take an additional course in relation to the work you are doing in your current role
• Volunteer in an establishment to gain experience which will be valuable to your CV

Even if your not currently employed, this is the time to use to further your knowledge by reading articles, taking short courses, and even volunteering in an organisation to gain experience; Experience is invaluable and relevant because it adds to your personal and career development.

When potential employers look at your CV, they will not concentrate so much on the fact that you are unemployed. What they would be more interested in is what you did in that period of time to develop yourself further.

It demonstrates the unspoken attributes you have, and determines whether you are able to conform into the working class culture.

We all aim to be better and regardless of our age and the stage we have attained to in life, we always learn something new as long as the earth continues to rotate.

Aim to be better than you were yesterday by doing something or learning something which makes you more knowledgeable than you were yesterday.

"With Age, and experience comes wisdom, with knowledge comes Wealth" 

October to November: The 10th month of the year - 10 steps to ensure your ready for the 11th Step

1. Organise

When you plan your week, make it a point to schedule time with your family and friends, and activities that help you recharge. If a date night with your spouse or an day out with friends is on your calendar, you'll have something to look forward to and an extra incentive to manage your time well so you don't have to cancel.

2. Document everything!

Keep a diary on hand to see your schedule at a glance and check your workload early each day so you have an idea of what you have to achieve - this should allow you to realistically timetable tasks and a to-do list can help you add structure. Ticking off completed tasks will bring with it a sense of achievement and a wall chart is indispensable for planning much-deserved holidays.

3. Learn to switch off

Today it is physically possible to work around the clock. The rise of mobile internet and the ‘anywhere-working’ culture means it's sometimes hard to switch off. This, coupled with the globalisation of the business world, means that working traditional nine to five days is not always practical.

For this reason, it is often hard to find time where work is not at the forefront of your mind. Make sure you spend some time each day away from your phone and email. Turn the Wi-Fi off on your smartphone, close your laptop, and don’t feel guilty about it.

4. Set yourself a cut-off point

A recent report by the online data back-up service Mozy suggests that Brits now typically start work at 7:17am and finish at 7:02pm - but in reality we are rarely offline. It’s wise to set yourself a cut-off point to make a clear distinction between time dedicated to personal and professional pursuits - particularly if you work flexibly or remotely.

It may be tempting to finish a report or put together a presentation but by failing to set a clear benchmark you could easily end up working until late in the evening or beyond. If you do this repeatedly it will not be long until you are feeling frazzled. Make a rule to stop working after a certain time and stick to it.

5. Learn to relax

Whether it be yoga, baking, painting or even playing computer games, spend some time doing something which requires singular focus and allows you to zone out. Studies have shown that regular relaxation reduces stress, helps eliminate insomnia and decreases the chances of developing certain health conditions so you owe it to yourself to set aside time to relax.

According to the ONS, the average worker spends 5 weeks a year commuting - use this time to listen to music or an audio book if you drive to work, or read if you travel by train to decompress after your day.

6. Make the most of your free time

It can sometimes feel like Groundhog Day when the working week becomes a continuous cycle of work and home. But by making an effort to break this rhythm your days can become much more fulfilling. Get out and about in your lunch hour – even if it’s just a brisk walk around the local park. The fresh air is good for your body, the change of scenery is good for the mind and light exercise releases endorphins which will help your performance in the afternoon. Mixing with a wide group of people is a great way to switch off. Likewise, it’s essential that you make the most of your annual leave. Well rested staff result in greater efficiency in the workplace and the experiences that you acquire while out and about can add value to your career. Stepping away from work for longer than a day or two allows you to put things in perspective. You will return fresh, full of ideas and raring to go.

7. Interact

It may be tempting to curl up in front of the TV in the evenings while checking Facebook on your phone, but lack of human contact can be depressing. Arrange to meet with friends - if only for an hour after work, or join a class or group.

8.  Be Aware - Identify opportunities in the making

The finest detail can make all the difference, see things in the bigger picture and beyond the common perspective. How do I do that? I hear you say... by looking at objects, people, places and things outside what they are supposed to do or be

For example: You have a favourite restaurant that you frequent with your friends, you love the service, the food and even the ambiance. So speaking with the restaurant owner why not organise a profitable food tasting event for those who are not regulars, why not host aa network event there to build contacts and also to generate  income in partnership with the restaurant

9. Brand yourself!

There's nothing more effective then being a walking promotion. How you conduct yourself, and the service you deliver speaks a lot about you as an individual. Never over promise, it is better to set a realistic or even a lower realistic target then exceed your client's expectations.

This can work both professionally and personally.

Even with friends and family if you honour an invitation for a house warming and they requirement is bring a bottle or beverage of some sort you can make a snack and bring along too. You have not committed yourself by letting the celebrant know your intention but as you arrive with the snack you have exceeded their expectation.

10. Refer! Refer! Refer!

Some people do not actually understand the power of a referral as the referee and not the benefactor. But let us break it down for you.

As someone who is known as a reputable person you will be asked to refer fellow reputable people. Now if those people do their job successfully they will get recognition but so will YOU!

That client will feel indebted to you for putting them in touch with someone of an excellent skill set and will find their won way to repay the favour.

11. Forge Ahead!

There is no doubt that managing personal and professional responsibilities is a balancing act but remember you work to live – not live to work. Professional success is not possible without hard work and dedication, but investing time in your personal life will arm you with the drive required to climb the career ladder.

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR WOMEN - by Tony Eboh

  

International Day for Women is unlike any other day set aside to mark historic events or raise consciousness over pertinent issues, this day is unique for what it represents for humanity.

Females remain an endangered species in many parts of the world. A combination of cultural, religious and societal norms and practices have continued to stifle and limit the growth and development of girls. Additionally, the inaction by several Governments and the outright negligence of several issues concerning girls has further complicated issues. Young girls are continuously subjected to dehumanizing conditions in several climes and this day presents an opportunity to chart a new course.

There are several reasons why every society must endeavour to educate, enlighten and empower the girls. The most important reason is simply because it is the right thing to do. It is morally, logically and politically right to do so. An educated girl is a beacon of hope and a primary source of social stability. We must never forget the obvious fact that families form the bedrock of societies and if the builders themselves are ill-equipped to execute the demands of nursing and nurturing, we are headed towards a broken system.

Failure to cater to the needs of girls is a deliberate attempt to stagnate the progress of over half the population of any society. Women make up about 52 % of the global population and these figures cut across several countries. One of the major differences between developed and developing nations is the capacity of well educated and exposed women to contribute to the workforce and society in the former but sadly missing in the latter. You can’t shut out a majority of the people and expect to make meaningful progress.

An investment in females is a superb and risk free investment. All societies that have summoned courage and put their faith towards this noble objective are far better off. At a time when the men and their economic policies have plunged the world into disarray, the women have stepped up. Angela Merkel (German Chancellor) has stopped the slide in Europe and the continent is better off than it was a few years. Christine Lagarde is leading the IMF with panache and prudence. President Obama recently nominated Janet Yellen as Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank. That makes her the most powerful woman in the world at least as far as economic matters are concerned. Hillary Clinton ( Former Secretary of State), Janet Napolitano ( Former Homeland Security Chief) and Susan Rice ( National Security Adviser) have driven policies in a male dominated field that have made America safer and less despised compared to when the men held sway.

In Africa, Presidents Banda and Sirleaf-Johnson continue to grow the economies of their respective countries. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala is an astute economist and her credentials are impeccable. She hasn’t been as effective in her second coming because she has practiced more politics instead of people focused economic policies. Nevertheless, no one can question her ability to do the job.

 Dilma Rousseff has continued the good legacies of her predecessor in Brazil and her steady leadership has ensured that her country has overtaken the United Kingdom in some economic indices and in the process further cementing Brazil’s position as a true emerging power. Christina Fernandez de Kirchner has overseen massive economic growth and political stability in Argentina. She has put her country in the forefront of South American politics and Argentina is on the path of greatness again after years of corruption and poor governance.

We can all make our societies better by ensuring we tackle the evils affecting females in our own little way. Some of these include Genital mutilation, Child Marriage, Lack of Diligent Prosecution of Rape cases and lack of focus on peculiar feminine issues.

Let’s all stand firm against inhumanity against girls. No girl should be allowed to become a mother whilst she is still a child. No man should have peace after defiling a girl and the authorities should make special provisions for girls as they mature into womanhood. It’s a complicated process that makes or mars a woman’s future.

Let’s celebrate the girls today and make commitments to ensure that they grow up to become what they can be: mothers, champions and leaders.

Follow Tony on Facebook under the name African Matter and on twitter @africanmatter