Personal Development Plan for the Next Five Years - Essay Example

? Introduction  The purpose of this exercise is to create my own personal development plan for the next five years, utilizing VARK, Myers-Briggs, anda SMART action plan. Included in this personal development plan are also my resume and career goals and objectives. Resume Education: High School Adana, Turkey University Cankaya University Computer Engineering Major interests: Programming languages such as C, C++, PhP and Csharp Developed software group and website for local businesses Senior Project: Formal Specification languages :Z notation IBM Vienna Development model Accomplishments: Cisco Network Administration certification Employment: Karahan PLC, TurkeyNetwork Administration Education Goal: MBA (Management) For my personal analysis, I used the Myers-Brigg personal indicator and the VARK learning styles assessment. Myers-Briggs assessed me as a INTJ, Introverted, focusing on my inner world, Intuitive, one who interprets and adds meaning to data, Thinking, one who depends on logic and consistency, and Judging, one who prefers things to be settledhttp://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/. The Myers-Brigg type indicator is based on C.G. Jung’s psychological character theory that classifies individuals by their introverted and extroverted attitudes as fundamental orientations to the subjective world around them (MacCrae & Costa, March 1989). Myers-Briggs used Jung as their starting point and created 16 types of attitudes and preferences to measure personality types. The MBTI measures our preference for 1) interacting with one another, 2) gathering information, 3) making decisions about what we experience, and 4) controlling ourselves and the world around us (Nicholson, 24 June 2011). Extroversion or Introversion(Energy Orientation)  According to Quenk,extroverts get their energy from the outer world of people and objects.(Quenk, 2009) Extroverts are social and outgoing, build attachments quickly and share ideas readily; introverts are personality opposites of extroverts. This type of personality is satisfied and feels energized when they spend a time alone or with a close friend.(Quenk,2009).According to Watkins,these type personalities think before they speak, are not always self-confident and are reserved and introspective(Watkins,1999).  According to my MBTI result I'm clearly the introverted personality type (84% introversion vs. 16% extroversion).The result of the first step was not surprising for me. I have been criticized many times about being introverted, but the significant way to analyze me is by giving an example about my friends and our meetings. As a friends group, we usually meet in numbers of three or four people and avoid activities that require interaction with other people. We prefer going to the cinema rather than talking in a pub. Even when we are giving a party we invite people that we know very well, rather than groups of strangers or classmates. According to these examples I am an introverted personality type.  Sensing and Intuition (Learning Process)  By Sensing we gather information using our five senses; Sensing is based on details of the environment surrounding us (Quenk,2009).Intuition is assimilation of ideas and theories by focusing less to the details in environment (Joyce). People who prefer sensing like problems with standard solutions, they are more realistic, practical and more interested in things happening (Bayne, 1997). Intuitive people are more futuristic, impatient to routine and they like to see the big picture (Bayne,1997).  Results of the MBTI showed that my learning style is more close to the intuitive type (intuition 74% vs. sensing 26%).  When I get bored from a book,to entertain myself I open the book at random and try to relate the events to one another then attempt to figure out the ending of the book. Sometimes I ignore details aboutan object and assign a metaphorical meaning to the story. I agree that I prefer intuition but I am questioning the high percentage that was portrayed in my evaluation. When I solve problems I work with the details and sometimes even obsess over them. In my group of friends I am the one who remembers the unnecessary details. I believe the percentages should be more evenly distributed as I think I use both of the learning styles, depending on the situation and circumstances. Thinking and Feeling  People who prefer thinking make decisions based on logic, honesty, objective data, and principles.Feeling typesmake decisions based on subjective values, such as welfare of the people (Joyce,2010).The problem with thinking type decision makersis they may be insensitive with other people’s feelings and hurt them without knowing, compared to feeling type decision makers that are more sympathetic and aware of another’s feelings (Bayne,1997).  According to my MBTI I am a thinking-type decision maker (79% Thinking vs. 21% Feeling). This result was not surprising to me, I am definitely thinking about myself in the same category. In our friends group each time we decide go to the cinema we don't decide by what people say is popular,we make our decision by analyzing the reviews of the film to see if it meets our criteria. Judging and Perceiving  Judging types are organized and systemic people who are make long-term and short-term plan for getting things done. The perceiving personality type is more spontaneous, flexible, and they feel more comfortable without setting a plan(Quenk,2009). Judging type approaches deadlines as threat and a block,they take deadlines too seriously so they try to control time by organizing it. Perceiving type personalities are inspired and energized by deadlines so they deliberatively use them to manage their work load (Bayne,1997).  My MBTI result: judging 89%vs. perceiving 11%.  That personality type is right on track for me. I nearly make a plan for everything in my life: work, study, and shopping. I even make a plan for what I am going to wear tomorrow and I iron the clothes before I go to sleep.  All of these steps helped me to analyze my realistic personality type. According to the results of each step my personality type is I-N-T-J.  INTJ: ”Have original minds and great drive for implementing their ideas and purposes. Quickly see patterns in external events and develop long-range explanatory perspectives. They have fine power, organize a job and carry it through with or without help. Skeptical, independent and sometimes stubborn, they have high standards of competence and performance for themselves and others”(Bayne,1997). INTJ personality types like to look at the global picture, looking for patterns and possibilities. They enjoy looking to the future, and not so much the here and now. INTJ personalities are only 1-4% of the population, so they are rarest of the 16 Myer-Briggs Personality Types (http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/myers-briggs/intj.htm). INTJ types are creative and pragmatic at the same time. They may envision an idea, but the bottom line strategy for them will be, “Does it Work?” I see my strengths as follows: I have an original and capable mind, and use honesty and objectivity in my approach to solving problems. I am organized and systematic and very good at planning even the minutest details. I take my job and my deadlines seriously, striving always to be on time with my projects and usually have them completed well ahead of the deadlines. I have a very high standard of performance for myself. Although I may be limited in feeling other’s emotions, I have good intuition into reading body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions. I see these are my weaknesses, to be improved upon: In my endeavor to achieve my goals, I may be insensitive to another person’s anxieties and questions. I have self-expression problems and am sometimes introverted to the point of being shy. I am stubborn and strong-willed, which could be also perceived as persevering.  I have a high standard of performance for myself, but others may see this as critical of their performance or that I compare them to myself. I may be so immersed in my project that I lack giving praise or commending those around me for their actions.  I also have an independent streak that may cause me to consider a solution, and implement the course of action without considering a conversation with my supervisor or advising one of my intentions, good though they may be. Learning Style  For creating a personal development plan I realize that learning style is crucial; a simple definition is enough to understand the relation between development and learning. Development is growth of a person through the provision of learning activities(Armstrong,2003).  According to Price, in recent years learning and development become more systematic and substantial in organization. They realized development of human capital creates significant competitive advantage(Price,2004).  Objectives Action plan Timespan Achievement measure Goal Date Improve Communication skills Evaluate skills After first semester Better grades 6/2011 Improve self-esteem Take Myers-Briggs for better understanding During semester Get results INTJ 4/2011 Get Cisco Network Admin Cert for Experts Study for exam During semester Receive Certificate 4/2011 Improve effective presentation skills Attend ASU lecture After the first semester Feel relaxed during presentation Second semester Find acceptable job Improve job skills and earn degree Ongoing Average salary and office After graduation Complete degree Pass all assignments Ongoing Out of IT basement 2012 Conclusion  Using the learning indicators and personality type testing results helped me to understand myself better, and also improved my self-esteem and self-acceptance. What I previously saw as character flaws, I now see as normal personality traits. This knowledge enables me to concentrate on my real flaws instead of my imagined insecurities. I will now work on communicating better to my peers and instructors by speaking my opinion aloud in class and in social settings. I will also practice positive reinforcement with my friends and fellow students to learn how to work in a group situation. In utilizing my SMART plan (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely), I will continue to add goals and measurements to secure a solid future for myself and my family. Previously, I had goals in a vague sort of way; I could see the end result but I had no way to measure my success or to plan a specific course of action. With this foundational personal development plan, I can efficiently use my chart to add goals and accomplishments, to map strategies, and to help me with my motivation. I see that achieving my educational goals of finishing my degree and achieving professional certifications is just the first step in my quest of knowledge. Learning should be an ongoing process, not limited to the formal institution or only to printed certifications and achievement awards. I want to be a healthy, well-rounded individual that emphasizes honesty, quality, humility and compassion. I want to be a role model for my family and community. I want to provide a nice home and loving atmosphere for my family. I want to teach my children values and the importance of education. Most of all, I want to be the person that people go to in times of trouble. I want to be the shoulder they lean on, the solution finder, and the empathetic listener that is nonjudgmental and accepting. I want to be considered dependable and loyal. I want to be a rock of stability in an ever changing world full of complications and frenzy. Attaining my degree is my first step in realizing my aspirations. Completing the VARK assessment and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator allowed me to see my strengths and weaknesses, an invaluable tool for self-validation. My hope for the future is to complete all my goals and to have the vision to move onto higher accomplishments. I want to be a success, but mostly I want to be a good, loving person with a future for my family. At this time, I spend much of my time either attending class or studying for class or preparing assignments. This leaves my family alone and missing my conversation and participation in family life. I want to finish my degree so that I can spend quality time devoted to the well-being of my family. Bibliography Bayne, R. (1997). The Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator: A Critical Review and Practical Guide. Cheltenham: Nelson Thorne. INTJ Personality Types.http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/myers-briggs/intj.htm (accessed 6/24/11). MacCrae, R. R., & Costa, J. P. (March 1989). Reinterpreting the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator From the Perspective of the Five Factor Model of Personality. Journal of Personality, 57, 18-40. MBTI Basics.http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/myers-briggs/intj.htm (accessed 6/26/11). Nicholson, N. S.. Personality Characteristics of Interpreter Trainees: The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). http://www.openstarts.units.it/dspace/bitstream/10077/2476/1/08.pdf, 109-144 (accessed 6/25/11). Pritchard, A. (2009). Ways of Learning: Learning Theories and Learning Styles in the Classroom. New York: Routledge. Quenk, N. L. (2009). Essentials of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Assessment, 2nd ed. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons. Read More