Chapter 2

Self-Development

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT for Life & Work

Slide 2

CHAPTER 2

Objectives
After completing this chapter, you should be
able to:
1. Explain how self-confidence affects success.
2. Visualize the improvements needed to reach your
potential.
3. Set long-term self-improvement goals.
4. Use behavior modification for self-improvement.
5. Develop mentoring relationships.
6. Explain tools available to predict occupational
success.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT for Life & Work

Chapter 2

Slide 3

2.1 Develop a Self-Improvement

Plan
Use these techniques to build self-confidence:
Use positive self-talk.
Increase your knowledge and skills.
Learn from mistakes.
Expect to succeed.
Conquer shyness.
Accept responsibility for your success.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT for Life & Work

Chapter 2

SLIDE 4

Set Clear Goals

Vague Goals

Clear Goals

Get an education.

Earn an associates degree in

graphic design within two years.

Reduce my stress level.

Lower my blood pressure eight points

by attending yoga classes three
nights a week this fall.

Develop my musical talents.

Take guitar lessons next semester at

the community college.

Improve my writing skills.

Write a short story and submit it to

the school newspaper by the end of
this semester.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT for Life & Work

Chapter 2

SLIDE 5

Criteria for SMART Goals

Criteria

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Timely

Ask Yourself:
What exactly do you want to accomplish?
How will you assess your progress?
Is your goal within your reach?
Is your goal important to your plan for life?
What is your deadline for accomplishing this goal?

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT for Life & Work

Chapter 2

Slide 6

2.2 Improvement Requires Work

Personal development involves making a lifelong commitment to reaching your goals and
being all that you can be.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT for Life & Work

Chapter 2

Slide 7

Self-Improvement Guidelines
Follow these guidelines as you develop your
self-improvement program:
Start now.
Start small. Focus on your highest priorities and
add other goals as time goes by.
Involve others who can keep you on course.
Dont give up. Think of a slip as an opportunity to
try again.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT for Life & Work

Chapter 2

Slide 8

Self-Improvement Guidelines
(Continued)

Stay focused on your goals. Review your goals

every day.
Acknowledge your improvements. Recognize how
far youve come.
Let every success trigger a new goal. Keep moving
forward to something higher to attain.
Focus on gratitude. Mentally list what you have to
be thankful for.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT for Life & Work

Chapter 2

Slide 9

Overview of a Self-Improvement
Plan
Vision of your future self.
Clear, specific, and
measureable goals.
Action plan for achieving each goal.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT for Life & Work

Chapter 2

Slide 10

Attitude and Interest Tests

Sample questions about workplace situations:
Do you like detail work?
Are you by nature an orderly person?
Do you enjoy teamwork, or would you prefer to
work alone?
Do you work well with mechanical things?
Do you want a 9-to-5 job or a flexible schedule?
Do you have an aptitude for math and science?

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT for Life & Work

Chapter 2

Slide 11

Other Resources Available

Learn from a mentor.

A mentor or coach may offer advice,

answer questions, help a new
employee understand the culture of
the business, share expertise, and
act as a role model.

Seek counseling.

A counselor can help with the

process of understanding and
appreciating where you are in your
personal and career development.

Try out a work situation.

A try-out experience provides an

actual on-the-job opportunity for a
limited period of time.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT for Life & Work

Chapter 2

Slide 12

Food for Thought ?

1. What does this quote from
Oprah Winfrey mean to you?
The biggest adventure you
can ever take is to live the
life of your dreams.

2. How can self-sabotage be an

obstacle to self-improvement?

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT for Life & Work

Chapter 2