• 12.02.2018

Poured by Dejan Madjoski

7 REASONS WHY YOU NEED TO BE PROACTIVE TO YOUR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

People are starting to learn and develop from youngest age. They learn from their parents, older brothers and sisters, study in kindergarten, school and university, and eventually learn at work. Throughout their lifetime, using these opportunities, people learn and develop to different levels. How each of us will develop depends on the opportunities that will be provided to us, but also on the level of personal responsibility taken, i.e. proactivity and initiative for their own development. If you look back, you will certainly be able to see what you have learned on your own initiative, but you will also see what else you could have done differently or more if you used more than the opportunities that were provided to you.

Self-initiative or proactivity actually makes the difference in the development of different individuals in the same environment and conditions. Let’s take the example with a company that provides equal opportunities for learning and development of its employees. In the same company we will find employees with the same length of working life that have evolved to quite different levels. We will find employees who have used the opportunities they have been given, we will find employees who have created or asked for additional development opportunities, but unfortunately also those who have used little or no use at all from what had been afforded to them.

Whether you work for a small company, a large organization, you are still studying or you are an entrepreneur with your own company, if you want to achieve higher levels of your own development, you will make the key difference with self-initiative and proactivity. It does not matter to which of the above groups you belong to, the benefits of taking responsibility for personal development are multiple:

1. You will stand out as more skilled and more competent than the rest. People who take personal responsibility, take advantage of and create more opportunities, they actually develop their competencies to higher levels than other students, employees or managers.
2. You will progress faster in the development. By taking more opportunities for development, you will easily overcome your mentors or more experienced colleagues.
3. You will have a better performance. The higher level of competencies will allow you to create better results and make a difference between you and the rest.
4. You show that you have the desire to do more. By taking the initiative, you show that you are taking responsibility and that you are willing to spend part of your own time and energy on something that will benefit both them and the company.
5. The utilization of development opportunities will bring you new opportunities for development. Managers invest more in those employees and managers who seriously realize their personal development.
6. Better personal image. Taking an initiative for your own development reflects some general personal characteristics such as responsibility, proactivity, self-initiative, etc. All of these character features improve your image on the rest.
7. More chances for career progress. Attention to your personal development tells that you are eager for more, but also that you are willing to give more if you have a chance for the same.