And the survey says…..

• 57% of U.S. workers say that they have the necessary education and training to get ahead in their current career *
• 72% of U.S. workers say they have taken special courses or retraining to improve their job skills*

What does this say about occupational wellness and the need to keep thinking and moving ahead? It’s necessary and a vital part of our workplace wellness.

I am a big proponent of “If your not growing, your growing mold” (Sandra Larkin).  This is a comical statement comparing ourselves to moldy cheese or bread all green, brown and stale.  But… do you want toBE THATassociate who is unwilling to keep up with the job, the industry, new technology and new and innovative ways to try something different or manage our time?  What does that say about the respect for your job, industry and fellow associates?  What does it say about respect for yourself? 

In today’s workplace time and stress go hand in hand.  Sometimes this stress is

• the people
• the process
• inadequate tools
• lack of proper time management techniques
• P-R-O-C-R-A-S-T-I-N-A-T-I-O-N
• lack of direction
• less than stellar accountability

No time to take a class.  Too busy.  Gotta go.  See ya! How can we be accountable for huge job responsibilities, when we can’t take care of our own occupational wellness to be and look sharp on the job?  

Accountability - the most dynamic work in the dictionary that keeps us moving forward in any area of life. In this case, with your professional education and commitment to be proactive.  We need to be accountable so that others can count on us to be at our best in the workplace. 

Here are some questions to ask in beginning to move yourself into being proactive about you professional development.

• I have or keep a list of all the training and development classes I have attended in the last 2 years? 
  • Yes!  Am I USING any of the techniques and improved processes? 
    • Yes!  Pass go and collect your $200 dollars.  This is alot less money that you probably made in a bonus and/or raise because you’ve been using the training you successfully completed.
    •  No!  Go back and revisit the manuals or original trainer to help me move forward in these areas.
  •  No!  Go back and develop the the training list to see exactly what you have taken and can use.
• Does my management team have a professional development plan for my career at the company?
  • Yes!  Find out the details of what is in store for you in the next 2 years.
  •  No!  Be proactive and request a meeting to discuss your professional development and the benefits to your organization.
• Does my organization budget professional development dollars for the year that I can tapped into?
  • Yes!  Great.  Look at your development plan and start searching for training on or off-site.
  •  No!   Now we are at the proverbial crossroads.  Do we go into our management and ask for professional development dollars <or> pay for it ourselves?

When our organizations do not have a professional development plan or dollars to accommodate.  What can we do?

1. Start by looking at your career past, present and future and create a professional map?  This will tell us where we have been and where we want to go in the next 3 to 5 years.
2. List all the classes you have taken to reach your ultimate goal.
3. Research your local community colleges and business groups to find out who is offering low cost classes or complimentary engagements (a.k.a. free).  You can learn from business professionals who have already forged the path. 
4. When there are absolutely no funds available through your company or yourself, go to your local library.  Ask the staff to assist you in finding library resources (books, CD’s magazines, newspapers, local events) to move you towards your professional development goal.
5. Seek out a mentor in your industry or your workplace.  A mentor can help guide you in the process and plug you into their experience of professional development.
6. Inquire at your company Human Resource department if there is a company library of books or CD’s to be “checked out”.
7. Start a workplace occupational development committee to bring in low or no cost speakers for lunch and learns or workshops.

Ready, set, go!  Your now in the drivers seat of your own professional development.  Neither lack of funds, time or an unwilling employer should stop us from being the best at our talents and abilities.  Now, go out and be FABULOUS!

Be healthy and fabulous!

 Sandra Larkin 

<* Source:  Pew Research Center for the People and the Press (2006)