9 examples of professional development goals.

The best ideas are shared. That’s why going to conferences, conventions, or seminars to hear and talk to leading experts in your field is a must-have on your list of goals. It’s an invaluable way to connect with like-minded professionals, seek out new ideas, or get inspired by the latest industry trends. Apart from all of those, they are great places for networking and making general connections either friendly or professional. Those can benefit you and the company greatly in the long run. 

But, if you’re not a fan of traveling, in today's digital world it doesn't take expensive plane tickets or a fancy suit to access professional development resources. With just a few clicks of the mouse, you can attend live webinars and take virtual courses that will help you stay ahead of the curve in your field. 

This means that there is no excuse not to take part in events like these. Keep tabs on upcoming events so that you can brush up on relevant topics and build up your skillset with ease – all from the comfort of your own home, in your own chair, with your own cat. 

A common saying is that life begins at the end of your comfort zone. But what does this mean when it comes to professional development? Well, it means expanding the boundaries of your knowledge and expertise in order to advance your career. Especially by doing things you like the least. Don’t think you’re a good writer? Write more. Don’t like responsibility? Take the lead on the next project. Don’t like talking to people? Become the social butterfly you know you are at the next team-building event. As a CSR you can try exploring different approaches in conversations and queries or propose different ideas based on your experiences. 

Think about all the areas you could explore and learn from attending courses, networking with industry leaders, seeking mentorship opportunities, and starting or taking on additional roles in an organization. These ideas shouldn’t end at the workplace, you can improve the rest of your life by stepping out of your comfort zone. Hate a mess? Start miniature painting. Scare easily? Go bungee jumping. 

The possibilities are truly endless and they can only make your life richer. Progress often requires pushing yourself beyond your limits. You may be surprised at how much more you can accomplish when you go out and explore what’s outside of your comfort zone. Embrace new ideas and opportunities - they could pave the way for larger successes in the future.

At the end of the day, you can’t find treasure without first having an adventure. 

While it is important to work on yourself as an employee and to set strictly professional development goals connected to your skills, it is equally as important to work on yourself and how you approach things. Many of us take parts of our personality for granted and think that it cannot be changed. Letting somebody misuse your time because you’re too polite to argue about it. Being overburdened by work because you’re too shy to say no. 

Setting limits and changing attitudes and stances doesn’t mean being rude or impolite towards your colleagues. It means respecting your and their time and having them do the same. Boundaries and limits to behavior are important not just to make sure no one inadvertently takes advantage of you but that you don’t take advantage of yourself as well. More often than not, we’re our own biggest problem. An inner saboteur. That’s why working on setting limits is important. So that everyone, including yourself, knows what’s acceptable and what’s not. 

When you set professional development goals for yourself, it pays to include items that will help you work on your stances and attitudes. Learning to say no without feeling guilty is a skill that will serve you well in the workplace. Especially if you find yourself in a situation where you’re overloaded with tasks. Saying no doesn’t mean letting the person who’s asking down, it just means letting them know that, at the moment, you’re not the best person to help them

Don’t be a pushover; it won't do anyone any good! 

As they say, the only constant in life is change. If you’re not open to change, it can be the biggest and scariest thing you’ve had to face or it can be that constant small annoyance buzzing around. That’s why everyone should work on being more open to change.

If we’re open and flexible enough that means that we can work with anything thrown our way. We can assess the situation and make adjustments to the plan without skipping a beat. We can also think on our toes and explore new ideas with curiosity and enthusiasm. Whether it be adapting to a new script as a CSR or switching projects, being flexible and ready to change can only bring good things. 

Being open to change is hugely beneficial in the long run because it keeps us agile, flexible, and curious - all qualities that we talked about are beneficial to personal and professional success, and some that are a crucial part of Transcom’s core values. Adapting well to change will allow you to become more resilient and better equipped to handle future changes. It’s an essential part of ensuring that you remain agile in today’s ever-evolving world. 

So don't shy away from change - welcome it with open arms!

A professional development goal doesn't have to be something that solely benefits your career. Why not make it a team effort and focus on strengthening your relationships with those at work? It could be as simple as learning the names of colleagues' children, or remembering and celebrating major milestones like birthdays and anniversaries. Having a colleague in the cubicle next to you that is also a friend can make your time at work more enjoyable and help you when you get stuck on something, especially with CSR when you sometimes need to think on your feet.

On the other hand, this process doesn't have to require celebrations, it could just mean grabbing a coffee after work and talking, person to person, about interests, hobbies, favorite bands, and how disappointed you both were at the series finale of Dexter.

Even if you work remotely, there are still ways to connect such as virtual coffee breaks or group video chats. You can also enjoy mini team buildings by playing virtual board games or just hanging out on Friday evenings. Making an effort to build strong connections can create a more enjoyable workplace atmosphere for everyone! 

At work, it's not just about what you know, but also who you know. Professional development goals should include strengthening relationships across departments and teams. Who knows, making connections with the marketing team could help you land a promotion in HR. CSRs might benefit by having friends in IT that can come to the rescue when needed. With strong interdepartmental relations, potential opportunities are endless. 

You also don’t have to strengthen the relationship just between yourself and others. You are a part of a team so becoming closer with somebody you usually work with outside of your closest colleagues is a great first step. How do you do that exactly? Watching the game with some of your closest colleagues? Invite somebody from marketing, sales, or HR. 

You also may not be the one to initiate an invite but being available and open-minded is key. Going out for lunch with colleagues, asking questions in meetings, and attending team events might just help strengthen your relationships, and it’s always good to be a team player in any shape or form.

Strengthening these relationships is key to effective function between departments, we all know that it’s much easier to do a last-minute task for somebody that we have a close relationship with.