Personal Development Journal 2016-7 Law and Community Leadership Personal Development The journal is designed for you to record your progress in relation to your personal development objectives, as highlighted in your Personal Development Plan, and in light of your SWOT Analysis. A journal enables you to reflect upon your objectives and evaluate progress towards their achievement. It is essential that you update your journal at regular intervals - at the very least on a fortnightly basis. The journal will form a unique record of your personal reflections on your plans for personal growth and self-improvement, learning experiences, achievements and failures, and any changes brought about through the knowledge gained. Personal Development Journal (PDJ) in practice Step 1: Consider each objective, highlighted in your Personal Development Plan. Check that it meets the SMART criteria? Specific (Make your objective as specific as possible and express it in positive terms). Measurable (Check that you have clearly identified your ‘success criteria’ - you need a way to evaluate your progress and determine if you are moving towards your objective). Achievable (Check that you have clearly identified the ‘methods’ that you will use and the ‘support’ you will need to achieve your objectives). Realistic and Relevant (Check that your goals are realistic in light of your personal circumstances and the resources available to you but consider if you are being ‘daring’ enough, so as to achieve your potential). Time-bound (Set a due date for your objective and for the action steps involved in achieving them. These deadlines should be realistic. You should have short, mid and long-term objectives, which you should prioritise. Step 2: Reflect on your progress in achieving your objective. If you have failed to make progress consider, in particular: a) What has prevented you from achieving your objective? b) Are your methods adequate? (Do these need to be changed or adapted?) c) Are you getting the support you need? d) Was your deadline realistic? Step 3: In light of your progress, (whether you have been successful or unsuccessful in achieving your objective) what have you learnt? Consider, also in particular: a) How will you use the knowledge gained? (E.g. to plan future actions, change thinking, to communicate learning and achievements to others). b) Setting of new objective. Reflective Journal: [ 15 December 2016] Type of objective Professional 1. Objective details: To improve my networking skills and get more valuable people in my network Progress made a) On 24th December 2016, Adam and I had our first meeting to get to know each other and exchanges ideas, information and how we can both support our community. It was a productive meeting as he promised that he will introduce some other figures who can help to achieve both my professional and community objectives. b) I am also taking initiative to become visible in my local community through my active involvement in the events and affairs. I plan to attend the next community meeting which is scheduled on December 24 2016. Reflection/Knowledge gained a) The meeting with Adam helped to gain a new perspective of the Somali politics. During our meeting, we had a long discussion on the Somali Political System. We also discussed the various problems that the country is going through and how its condition could be improved. b) Further, we discussed issues such as poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, which still prevails in the country and has hindered its growth and development c) The discussion also revolved around the major social and economical problems prevailing in the country. The country is going through a civil unrest which has resulted in many problems and adversely affected the lives of people living in that area d) We have discussed how the Anti-tribalism movement working with these issues. Follow up/next steps/objective completed a) The first meeting helped me to develop a new perspective of the Somali Political System and think of possible ways to provide solution to the existing problems. This helped me to begin my journey of politics through knowledge enhancement. b) Further, I was invited by Adam to participate in the Somali National Development Plan meeting on 24/12/2016 where I would get an opportunity to meet influential people (Ministers and Political Leaders) who would help me to grow my career. c) For the next meeting, I look forward to have my own business card and consistently look for other opportunities to develop my network. Reflective Journal: [ 24 December 2016] Type of objective Community 1. Objective details: Implementing quality health care commission in Somalia. Progress made a) The Somali National Development Plan meeting helped me to gain knowledge and develop my own perspective through interaction with the influential people which also included Somali Minister of Planning and International Cooperation. b) I was also given the provision for the next meeting through exchange of contact details and business cards. The Minister also ensured me to have arranged further individual meetings. c) I have asked couple of questions relating to the above objective to the minister and he promised me that they will add their national plan on this and they can work with me to implement the above objective. Reflection/Knowledge gained a) I got to learn about the Somali National Development Plan for the fiscal period 2017-2019. We have received the plan which aims to alleviate the issues of poverty by bringing a socio-economic transformation to uplift the society of the country. b) The plan equipped me with the knowledge of resource requirement for the socio-economic transformation. Also, I got to know about the dynamic nature of Somali economic recovery which needs a strategic plan to restructure the economy of the country. Follow up/next steps/objective completed a) I enhanced my overall knowledge and developed my network of people through the meeting which gave me an opportunity to work for the societal transformation in Somalia. b) The opportunity gave me a head start towards implementing quality health care commission in Somalia. c) After gaining the required knowledge I would draft a proposal to volunteer myself in minister of health and push my objective to be implemented. d) The timeline to achieve my objective is 2020. Reflective Journal: [ 19 January 2017] Type of objective Professional 2. Objective details: To improve my Public Speaking Progress made a) I have joined Toastmaster public speaking club to enhance my public speaking skills. b) This programme provides me a real-time experience to the students by through experiential learning. c) Its self-paced program ensures that we learn and improve ourselves at our own pace. The mentors consistently guide us through feedback and evaluation process. This way the program helps us to grow and achieve our goals. Reflection/Knowledge gained a) The Toastmaster’s Programme has enhanced my overall personality and given me the confidence to address the public through its practice sessions. b) I have developed an understanding of delivering speeches in public c) The programme also made me realize my own potential through its self-paced programs. d) The feedback and evaluation part helped me to push harder and harder to evolve into a better personality. Follow up/next steps/objective completed a) I will keep going the toastmaster’s program until I feel more comfortable in public speaking. b) The programme has given me the confidence to speak in public and I look forward to utilize my skills in local community by volunteering and representing the community when necessary. c) I am planning to take up serious issues in my local community and resolve them by interacting with the authorized person. d) Further, I would join a political party where I would get real experience to demonstrate my skills Reflective Journal: [27/12/2016] Type of objective Community 2. Objective details: Volunteer to provide the basic amenities (clean drinking water, sanitation etc) in Somalia. Progress made a) I would join the International organizations that supports the people of Somalia by providing them aid and relief. So far, I am doing my research Reflection/Knowledge gained a) I have developed an understanding about the activities that DFID does and how they provide aid to the affected people in Somalia. Follow up/next steps/objective completed a) I will keep researching. I am protesting the objectives and this one may need more time so I am suspending this one at the moment Reflective Journal: [Insert Date: 25 December 2016] Type of objective Personal 1. Objective details: To become an influential political leader Progress made a) As per the discussion with my classmate Mr Adam, I seek next individual meeting scheduled with the Somali Minister of Planning and International Cooperation. In the meeting, I revealed my plan to join politics and received his guidance for my career path. b) I have joinedJuba Youth Organisation c) I have started attending local community meetings to become responsible and develop leadership qualities. Reflection/Knowledge gained a) To become successful in any field, one must love his work and my passion to become a politician would give me the energy to push myself harder and harder to achieve something bigger and better. b) My great confidence level gives me the energy to stay positive and motivated, which I want to utilize by becoming a great leader and instill followership through my vision. c) Without focus, we cannot move a step further in the right direction and thus focus helps to build a career path through appropriate decisions without getting distracted Follow up/next steps/objective completed d) Send email to the minister for follow up e) Understand the role of the trustee in an NGO Reflective Journal: [Insert Date: 1 February 2017] Type of objective Personal 2. Objective details: To gain 10 kgs weight Progress made a) I decided tobook an appoint with a consultant who would take care of my diet chart and would provide me with the nutritious diet plan. b) I would follow the dietician’s advice and focus on living a healthier lifestyle. I would also join a gym for weight lifting and improve my strength. Reflection/Knowledge gained a) The dietician has helped me to understand that on order to gain weight, it is better to develop healthy lifestyle pattern to prevent diseases. b) I have also understood that safety and precautions are very necessary while putting on some weight c) The gym trainer will guide me to improve my strengths through weight lifting and other exercises. d) The dietician and gym trainer has guided me develop a long-term plan through which I can gain maximum health benefits. Follow up/next steps/objective completed a) My success is achieved when I have gained 10 kgs of weight through my efforts and determination. b) The timeline I have set for my target is July 2017 for which I would measure my improvements after every 2 weeks. Reflective Journal: [31 Jan 2017] 3. Type of objective Personal Objective details: To visit my family in USA in 2017 Progress made a) I have checked my classes schedule and it does not clash with my plan. Also, I plan to complete all my assignment before I go to US. b) My full-time job would provide me with the financial resources that I would need to book my tickets/other expenses to US. c) I plan to book my air tickets by middle of April 2017 to confirm the availability of the tickets. d) I have been saving money from my full-time job to cover these expenses. Reflection/Knowledge gained a) I need to finish my work before I go to US. b) Time and resource management is a crucial element of my goal. c) As I am originally from the 7 counties which has been banned coming to US I may need to check . Follow up/next steps/objective completed a) To request annual leaveby May Reflective Journal: [Insert Date: 1 February 2017] Type of objective Personal 4. Objective details: To do MPA Progress made a) I have looked up for the universities that offer the above Programme in and look forward to apply for them. Reflection/Knowledge gained a) From my research, I have analysed thatBirmingham University, UCL and University of Nottingham are the ones that offer the programme and matched with my requirement. Follow up/next steps/objective completed a) I would apply for all the above universities and then would wait for the interview process. Reflective Journal: [Insert Date: 14 April 2017] Type of objective Personal To visit my family in USA in 2017 Progress made a) I made my booking online today. Follow up/next steps/objective completed a) I need to check with the US embassy in London if I need a visa before I travel Reflective Journal: [ 09 April 2017] Type of objective Community 3. Objective details: Implementing quality health care commission in Somalia. Progress made a) I have inviting 15 individuals today and we have discussed the project b) The individuals who were present welcomed the project and 4 of them pledged that they will volunteer c) We created a Gmail drive where we will keep all our information and all the team can see it. Reflection/Knowledge gained a) There is no such this project in Somalia b) There may be some obstacle form the existing private service providers when implementing this project Follow up/next steps/objective completed a) The team will meet again on 27th May b) On the above day, the draft of the project will be presented