Growth Mindset and CPD: Paving the Path to Professional Excellence
Get ready to dive into a world of growth, excellence, and continuous learning in your Career.
In today's episode, I’ll explain why Continuous Professional Development isn't just a step,
but a transformational leap towards professional competence.
Hello and a very warm welcome to Episode No. 76 of ‘Your Bravo Career’
My name is Mark Crossfield, I’m a Professional Career Coach / helping you to love your job and build a great career.
This podcast is about why your career matters
How you can enjoy what you are doing day each day at work
and how to build a great career along the way.
Introduction
Welcome, everybody to Episode No. 78 of the podcast.
When did you last look at your career and wonder if you were truly equipped for the journey ahead?
I’m talking today about Continuous Professional Development.
This is the intentional and ongoing process of learning, skill enhancement, and knowledge expansion, designed to keep you current and capable in your field.
Current and capable …
In today's episode, I’ll explain why Continuing professional development isn't just vital; it's the foundation of your career building.
And, that’s why you should keep listening.
And, so you know, I’ll probably just use the acronym CPD from now on …
So, like I say, it’s an important subject. And here’s a couple of things I’ve noticed as a career coach.
When we first start out in the world of work, we often think we should know our stuff and that there’s no need for further professional development.
For example, it’s common for recent graduates stepping out of college or university to feel a sense of accomplishment – a belief that they've crossed the finish line of learning.
Especially if their studies have focused on a vocational qualification, the idea of having mastered their field can be tempting.
I know this happened to me when I left university. When I started work, I felt the pressure to demonstrate that I knew my stuff and demonstrate my knowledge.
It makes me laugh now when I think about it.
I knew I didn’t know everything, but I thought I should after spending four years at university.
Equally, seasoned professionals in the midst of their careers might unknowingly fall into the trap of assuming they've reached the pinnacle of their knowledge.
And yes, even here, the professional landscape in the middle of your career is continually changing.
It's precisely these types of misconceptions that highlight the significance of the CPD discussion today.
It's not about implying a lack of competence or knowledge but rather recognising that the journey of growth and learning is perpetual.
Whether you're a fresh graduate stepping into the workplace or an experienced professional navigating the twists and turns of your career, CPD serves you very well in your career.
It's about embracing the idea that there's always more to learn, refine, and discover – that mindset is so important.
Also, another thought is that CPD has an important role in attaining professional competence and qualifications.
The journey to professional competence and qualifications can take several years for many professions.
For example, professional civil engineers undergo a period of Initial Professional Development, medical professionals embark on Foundation Training, and aspiring lawyers commit to Training Contracts. These structured training phases ensure practitioners are well-equipped before becoming professionally qualified.
And during these states of professional development, there is a crucial role for CPD in attaining those professional competences and qualifications.
So, whatever profession you work in, Continuing Professional Development will be important.
The ongoing learning equips you with industry knowledge, enhances your problem-solving skills, builds your confidence, and broadens your network.
At the core of CPD lies a growth mindset – the conviction that your abilities can evolve through commitment and effort.
Embracing a growth mindset is all about developing yourself. You are enough as you are, of course, but you're not done growing and improving.
This perspective fuels continuous improvement and perpetual advancement.
I’ve discussed Growth Mindset before on the podcast, most recently in episode No. 66
Getting Started with CPD:
So, you might be wondering, if you're finding inspiration in this topic, how to embark on your CPD journey.
Where do you begin with CPD?
There is so much you could be doing, and it can be difficult to choose one path.
However, while the initial steps might appear daunting, you can start quite straightforwardly.
It all starts with recognising the areas where you can further develop your skills, and that's where identifying your learning gaps comes into play.
It helps to think of your career as a map. Along your career path, there are places where you shine brightly – areas where you've honed your skills and expertise. These are your strengths, your well-travelled roads.
But there might also be stretches where the road is less familiar, where the signposts aren't as clear. These are your learning gaps – where you could benefit from more knowledge, experience, or understanding.
Identifying your learning gaps is like taking a compass and pinpointing those uncharted territories on your career map.
It's about asking yourself questions like, "What aspects of my profession challenge me the most?" or "Where do I feel less confident than I'd like to be?"
These questions guide you to the areas where investing in your CPD efforts will have the greatest impact.
Identifying your learning gaps is your compass, guiding you toward the specific CPD opportunities that will enrich your journey.
It's the first step in setting yourself up for growth, empowerment, and career advancement.
So, to help you along the way, here are 5 tips to help you to maximise the benefits of CPD on your journey to professional competence:
Here’s tip one:
1. Create a plan for your Continuing Professional Development:
Start by defining specific goals for your CPD journey. This begins by thinking about your career map and your career gaps as I have already outlined.
This could be about you mastering new techniques in your profession or achieving a relevant certification.
Once you have your goals in mind, create a structured plan outlining the steps to achieve them.
This plan becomes your roadmap, helping you stay focused and ensuring that your CPD efforts align with your career aspirations.
Remember, a clear destination and a well-charted path are key to making the most of your CPD experience.
The next tip is to …
2. Embrace Learning Diversity:
Your development isn't confined to one format, you can mix it up.
There are formal courses giving you detailed insights. Then, there are podcasts, which are like quick chats with knowledgeable experts. Books are like reading to understand a topic deeply, and workshops are like group activities where you share ideas and learn from others.
By exploring various learning methods, you're making your CPD journey more interesting and gaining a better understanding of your field.
The third tip is to …
3. Reflect and Apply:
It’s important to regularly assess how your newly acquired knowledge can be applied in your work. Practical application cements learning and promotes mastery.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
What new insights have I gained from this CPD experience, and how can I apply them to my work?
What challenges did I encounter during this CPD, and how did I overcome them? How can I use this problem-solving approach in my daily tasks?
What strategies or techniques have I learned through this CPD that I can integrate into my skillset to enhance the value I provide to clients or my team?
So, use these questions to assess how you can apply your new knowledge and skills in your work.
Ok, so
The 4th tip is to:
4. Cultivate Curiosity:
A couple of years ago, I read the Leonardo da Vinci autobiography by Walter Isaacson. I highly recommend it.
Leonardo da Vinci wasn't just a painter; he was fascinated by lots of things – like how our bodies work, the nuts and bolts of machines, and the secrets of the natural world.
He even took apart bodies to learn about anatomy and sketched everything in his notebooks.
This mix of interests helped him create more lifelike art. But it wasn't just about drawing better people. He was also all about physics and machines. You might have seen his sketches of a flying machine.
Now, fast-forward to today, and you've got Elon Musk. He's the modern-day da Vinci. Musk combines tech, engineering, and space exploration to change the game. Think electric cars, green energy solutions, and his space travel ambitions.
And that got me thinking –
What about you. How can you cultivate curiosity with your own professional development?
Are there seemingly unrelated things you can learn that can help you in your career? Developing speaking and presenting skills is an obvious example, but how about volunteering for a committee where you will be chairing a meeting or creating a side project where you will learn about business and marketing fundamentals?
All these new skills and knowledge are helpful for you in your current role. And, of course, who knows where this curiosity might take you …
Ok, the 5th tip is to …
5. Celebrate Progress:
Number 5, the 5th tip, is all about celebrating your progress.
Take a moment to recognise when you achieve something along your CPD journey. These wins help to keep your motivation burning bright.
As you learn new skills, complete courses, or achieve a development objective, give yourself a nod of recognition.
These are your accomplishments – big and small.
You can also share your successes with others. Talk to your peers, and mentors, or even keep a journal dedicated to your CPD journey.
Each milestone you reach isn't just a checkbox; it's a testament to your dedication. And each one pushes you toward even bigger successes.
So, celebrate your journey – you're climbing higher with every step.
Conclusion:
As I begin to wrap up this episode, remember that professional competence isn't a static destination – it's an ongoing journey. CPD isn't a chore; it's the conduit to expertise, fulfilment, and success.
By embracing CPD, you're expediting your qualification journey and ensuring you're equipped to leave an enduring mark on your profession.
Let's debunk the myth that CPD is dull; it's the key to a vibrant, thriving career.
Call to Action
Here are some things to get you started.
Spend just 30 minutes planning your CPD strategy. Look into upcoming webinars, workshops, courses, or industry events that align with your goals.
If you cannot do that, how about finding an interesting podcast or a book that will spark your curiosity to learn more ..
By investing this time now, you'll set yourself up for a year of focused, effective learning that will work like clockwork to enhance your skills.
Remember, small actions today lead to significant accomplishments tomorrow.
End
Thank you for joining me today.
I hope you found the content useful.
Not sure, and still need help, email at mark@bravocoaching.co.uk and we can have a conversation.
Show Ending
By the way, you can find today’s show notes at bravocoaching.co.uk/podcast.
If you are interested in working with me, you can book a free discovery call on my website.
Share this episode with your colleagues and friends who are also dedicated to their own professional growth.
Have a wonderful week and I will speak to you again in a couple of weeks time.
Bye for now.