Woman to Woman: Discovering Key Dimensions of Personal & Professional Development

By Marsha D. Link, PhD
Link Consulting

Marsha D. Link, PhD

Welcome to OWL’s new column, Woman to Woman: Discovering Key Dimensions of Personal & Professional Development. This column focuses on ways to maximize your strengths, develop and reach your goals, and enhance satisfaction in your personal and professional lives.

Today’s theme emphasizes a critical dimension of growth and development: “Take Charge of Your Own Development.” This is important for many reasons. Some of you may be fortunate to work in companies where professional development is an integral part of the culture; others may have limited access to this kind of opportunity. During these difficult economic times, even companies with development programs have cut budgets for this kind of activity. Additionally, company development programs often do not address or integrate personal aspects of our lives into the overall plan. Therefore, it is important that each woman takes responsibility for creating the path that will enhance her growth and success.

In future columns, we will discuss content that speaks to the “total” woman, taking your personal as well as professional contexts into account. To help you get started on your journey to take charge of your own development, a list of “Do’s” and “Don’ts” is offered for your consideration.

DO	DON'T
... articulate your personal and professional goals	... assume someone else will create development opportunities for you
... create a 3-to-5 year plan for achieving your goals	... rely on a single source to assist you with your development
... be proactive in finding resources/options that work best for you	... minimize what you have accomplished and what you can achieve in the future
... Get started! ... and practice patience and perseverance	... forget to view development as "continuous improvement"

 















In other columns, we will look at more key dimensions that will provide you with options and information for creating your own plan. As a beginning, you are invited to embrace the concept that your plan begins with you. Take charge of your own development! Let Woman to Woman be a catalyst to enhance your personal and professional growth. Please feel free to offer your questions or comments on the OWL Web site. I look forward to hearing from you.

For those of you attending the ASCRS/ASOA meeting in Boston, OWL member Marsha Link will be presenting a session titled Mentoring Works! Maximize Development and Minimize Costs on Sunday, April 11 at 10:30 am in Room 104AB of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. This presentation will expand on the concept of mentoring as a valuable tool for development. The ideas used in starting the OWL Mentoring Program will be presented to help others, particularly ophthalmology practices, build their own internal mentoring program. See you in Boston!