HOW TO ACCELERATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR 2023

Ishola Ayodele                                         

In this article, I will be exploring a variety of strategies and tactics that you can use to accelerate your professional development and achieve your career goals in the coming year. Whether you are looking to advance your current career, transition into a new field, or simply improve your skills and knowledge, this guide will provide you with the tools you need to succeed. So, let us get started!

                                        

1. Read a book summary per week: 

Many Professionals are always too busy to sit and ready 500-page industry books not because they don’t but because their work schedule has made it very difficult. One good way to overcome this challenge is to read the summaries of thought provoking industry books. Reading at least the book summary of one industry book per week can have a number of great benefits for professional development. Here are a few:

a. Time-saving: Reading a book summary allows you to get the main points and key takeaways of a book in a shorter amount of time than it would take to read the entire book. This is especially useful if you have a busy schedule and don't have the time to read an entire book.

b. Improved understanding: A book summary can help you to better understand the key concepts and ideas presented in a book, as it condenses the information into a more concise and easy-to-digest format.

c. Enhanced retention: Reading a book summary can help you to retain the information from a book more effectively than if you simply read the entire book. By condensing the information into a shorter format, it is easier for your brain to process and remember the key points.

d. Increased productivity: By reading a book summary, you can stay up-to-date with the latest industry developments and trends without having to spend hours reading an entire book. This can help you to be more productive and efficient in your work.

Overall, reading a book summary per week can be a valuable way to stay informed and improve your understanding of important industrial concepts and ideas which is why Francis Bacon asserted that, "Reading make a Full Man."

                                    

2. Joining an online community of professionals: 

Joining an online community of professionals where knowledge, ideas, and experience are shared on a regular basis can be extremely beneficial for your professional development. Especially platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook etc where learning can be done on the go. Here are a few key benefits that you can derive from belonging to a knowledge driven online professional community:

a. Access to the group’s expertise and resources: By joining a community of professionals, you can tap into the collective knowledge and expertise of a diverse group of people. This can provide you with valuable resources and insights that you may not have access to otherwise.

b. Opportunity to learn from others: It is said that, “No man is an island of knowledge,” but by participating in discussions and networking events, you can learn from the experiences and insights of others in your field. This can help you to expand your understanding of key areas of your field and also help you to hone your skills. It can as well give you insights into what other useful skillsets or tools you can acquire to improve your effectiveness and efficiency at what you do.

c. Networking opportunities: Belonging to a professional community can provide you with the opportunity to make valuable connections and build your professional network. This can open up new career and business opportunities as well as helping you to advance in your field.

d. Support and encouragement: Being part of a community of professionals can also provide a sense of support and encouragement. You can share your challenges and successes with others and receive guidance and feedback from your peers.

A review of research on ‘learning in a group’ published in the "Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences" found that collaborative learning environments that encourage group discussion and interaction are associated with improved performance, higher levels of motivation and engagement, and greater retention of information.

In Conclusion,

Belonging to a community of professionals where knowledge, ideas, and experience are shared on a regular basis can be a valuable resource for your professional development and growth. Why do you think a wise person always strive to be in the company of wise people? The same reason the rich associate with the rich. Iron sharps Iron not plastic or wood.

                                

3. Watch and listen to insightful videos and talks at least once a week.

The immortal Albert Einstein once said, “The more I learn, the more I know.” In this statement lies a great secret to personal development for growth seeking mind. In this era of ever busy work schedule and very tight deadlines, finding time to learn has become a herculean task. However, for someone who want to reach the peak of his/her professional career learning is not a choice but a necessity. So, it imperative you keep learning while still striving to meet that tight work deadlines and that is where watching and listening to insightful videos and talks can be of great help for your professional development. Here few ways exploring this learning-on-the-go avenue can be beneficial to your professional development:

a. Learn new skills and knowledge: By watching and listening to videos and talks, you can gain access to new ideas, skills, approaches, methods and information that can help you to learn new skills and knowledge. For example, a study by Bangert et al. (2015) found that video-based learning can be an effective way to acquire new knowledge and skills.

b. Hear from experts and thought leaders: By watching and listening to videos and talks from experts and thought leaders in your field, you can gain valuable insights and perspectives that can help you to advance your career. From real life experience, many professionals have reported that watching and listening to videos and talks has helped them to learn from others and to stay up to date with the latest developments in their field.

c. Enhance your critical thinking skills: By watching and listening to videos and talks, you can practice your critical thinking skills by analyzing and evaluating the ideas and information presented. A study by Hagger et al. (2018) found that critical thinking can be an important factor in professional development, as it helps individuals to think creatively and solve problems effectively.

d. Build your professional network: By watching and listening to videos and talks, you may have the opportunity to connect with others who share your interests and goals. This can help you to build your professional network and expand your opportunities for learning and professional development.

In conclusion,

According to a study conducted by Forbes, employees who actively seek out learning opportunities, such as watching educational videos or attending industry talks, are more likely to be promoted and receive higher salaries. 

By continuously educating yourself and staying up-to-date on the latest industry trends and developments through watching and listening to insightful videos and talks at least once a week you will not only improve your skills set and knowledge, but also position yourself as a top performer and boost your value to your organization which will in turn improve your earning capability. Remember, "The more you learn, the more you'll earn," said by the famous business mogul, Warren Buffet.

4. Write at least one post or feedback per week: 

Write at least a 70 -100 words WhatsApp, Facebook or LinkedIn post per week based on whatever you have learnt in your own words relating it to your experience. 

Here are few ways that writing a short post per week about what you have learned can help accelerate your professional development:

a. Reflecting on your learning: Writing a feedback or observation about the knowledge/skill/insights you have gained from the book summary, professional community or insightful videos/talks based on how it relates to what you do and how it affects your industry can help you to better understand and retain the information/knowledge you have learnt.

b. Sharing your insights with others: Sharing your insights with others through your writing, you can contribute to the broader professional community and potentially help others to learn and grow as well.

c. Demonstrating your expertise: Regularly writing about your learning and sharing your insights, you can demonstrate your expertise and knowledge in your field. This can help to establish your credibility and build your professional reputation.

d. Building your writing skills: Writing regularly can help to improve your writing skills, including your ability to articulate your thoughts clearly and concisely. This can be a valuable asset in your professional development and can help you to communicate more effectively in various professional settings.

e. Track your progress: Writing about your learning on a regular basis, you can track your progress and see the progress you have made over time. This can help you to identify areas where you have made the most progress, and to set goals for future learning.

f. Enhance your communication skills: By writing regularly, you can improve your writing skills and develop your ability to communicate your ideas and insights effectively. This can be a valuable skill in many professional settings.

g. Networking and connecting with others: Sharing your writing online or with a specific community, you can connect with others who have similar professional interests and goals. This can help to build your professional network and open up new opportunities for learning and growth.

In Conclusion,

Research has supported this notion that writing a short post per week about what you have learned can lead to networking and connecting with others. For example, a study by McEvoy et al. (2017) found that peer learning and collaboration can be an effective way to accelerate professional development. The study found that collaborative learning can help to facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences, and can lead to the formation of professional networks.

This is why Francis Bacon remarked that, “Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man”

I have gone the extra mile to get you a forum of PR professionals and Scholars where you can have access to regular weekly 

1. Book Summary of insightful and highly educative PR books.

2. Public Relations Case studies. 

3. Exchange of innovative and thought provoking ideas and experiences by Veterans and Scholars.

4.  Weekly insightful and highly informative videos about new thinking and trends in the PR industry.

If you are interested in joining the PR Community send me a message on WhatsApp number 08077932282

Best Regards,

Ishola Ayodele

Dean, The School of Impactful Communication