By Donna Cox – Mantra Training & Development
We often see the offer of personal growth courses and professional development course and sometimes it is hard to define the difference. I was once told by a Mentor of mine that if you are not growing you are dying. I think this is so true in all aspects of our lives. Growth is important, however sometimes we don’t know where to start or even when to start.
What is Personal Development?
Wikipedia states – Intellectual growth/life, spiritual growth/life, and creative expression
What is Professional Development?
Wikipedia states – refers to skills and knowledge attained for both personal development and career advancement
Write down what you think it is……….
To some degree I think they are very much the same, I know if we participate in professional development workshops we may learn one or more specific aspect of a role or software or skill in our current or future workplace, however if you stop and think about growth as a whole you will soon see that as we learn new skills in our Job/Business it can also provide a level of personal growth;
Increased self confidence
Higher level of independence
Increase in employability skill (better options)
If we work on personal development and attend some workshops we also gain;
Increased self confidence
Higher level of independence
More opportunity for continued growth
At Mantra Training & Development, we are not only focused on the qualification you are enrolled in, we are also incorporating personal growth to ensure a greater level of opportunity in life.
Imagine learning about time management in your business course you could ask yourself “how can I apply this in my personal life”?
Understanding emotional intelligence can not only assist with team development in the workplace but it goes a long way in respect to communicating better with the family on a personal level.
In conclusion
Look for ways to get the most from your training experience and if you have had significant growth in one area of your life then apply the principles to as many aspects of your life for greater benifit. This will will have a flow on effect to your family and your team in the workplace.
Canberra Small Business Blog 
This is a very good point. I don’t think I’ve ever attended a course where I haven’t been able to apply the skills both in my business and personal life, although when you run your own show, those two can get a little blurred.
Quite often I go into a course looking for a specific skill with an application already in mind, but I always seem to end up getting more than I’d expected, and apply the skills I have obtained in ways I didn’t think possible prior to undertaking the training.
Donna,
I agree wholeheartedly about the value of personal learning and the impact it has on professional learning. I’m not the only one:….
Whoever ceases to be a student has never been a student. George Iles
The wisest mind has something yet to learn. George Santayana (1863 – 1952)
It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts. Harry S. Truman
When you are through improving…. you are through. – Proverb
He who stops being better stops being good. – Oliver Cromwell
Excellence is the unlimited ability to improve the quality of what you have to offer – Rick Pitino (Racing car driver)
The fireworks begin today. Each diploma is a lighted match. Each one of you is a fuse. Edward Koch – New York Mayor
Jean Mc
I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone to disagree with these sentiments. Particularly as John says “when you run your own show, those two [business and personal life] can get a little blurred”, any training and development contributes to the whole picture and that can only be a good thing!
With knowledge must come (amongst other things) increased confidence and independence, two things that I regard as extremely important for my own wellbeing which of course, flows on to those around me for whom I care and/or contribute to their lives and wellbeing (my children, my mother, my clients, my employee…).
Maybe my opinion is a little skewed as I am the daughter of an English teacher who used to correct my letters (that I had sent to him) and send them back to me! But all that aside, I make no apologies for ‘barracking’ for more learning for all!
Lee