Take all the most important material you’ve come up with and place it in one file or binder divided into three sections according to the three questions you’ve answered. That is your IDP, or the basic blueprint for your career narrative. You should now have 1) an understanding of where you currently stand regarding your professional development, 2) some possible long-term career goals, and 3) some short-term skill-development goals.

Revisit in one year

Plan to revisit and revise your Individual Development Plan in one year. You will hopefully be able to add some new skills to your self-assessment, report back on your further exploration of the job market, and set new goals that will carry your professional development even further.

Just remember, wherever you are on your professional development journey, if you start feeling lost, ask yourself the three fundamental PD questions:

Who am I?

Where am I going?

How will I get there?