Your Free Personal Development Plan Template and Guide

Ready to take control of your professional or personal growth? A Personal Development Plan template could be just what you need to break your goals down into actionable steps. 

Our comprehensive guide shows you exactly how to create and use an effective PDP, with practical examples and a free template to get you started.

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What is a Personal Development Plan?

A Personal Development Plan (PDP) is a structured framework that helps you set, track and achieve your goals. 

Having a growth mindset - aka. believing in your ability to learn and develop - is key to making the most of your plan. Rather than just another form to fill in, a good PDP template is a simple but powerful tool that turns your aspirations into actionable steps and measurable progress.

A well-crafted Personal Development Plan helps you:

• Focus clearly on what you want to achieve
• Break big goals into manageable steps
• Track your progress effectively
• Stay motivated and accountable
• Prioritise your development

In fact, research shows that having a PDP can make a real difference, with up to 38.4% of people saying it helped them reach their career goals!

How to Write a Personal Development Plan

Learning how to write a personal development plan doesn't need to be complicated. Our PDP template breaks it down into 5 simple steps.

1. Define Your Goals

Start by identifying what you want to achieve. The personal development plan template provides space for both short-term and long-term goals. For example:

Short-term: Complete an online management course by December

Long-term: Move into a senior leadership position within three years

2. Set Your Timeframes

For each goal in your Personal Development Plan, establish:

• Target completion date
• Key milestones along the way
• Regular review points
  
  

3. Make Your Goals SMART

When writing your personal development plan, ensure each goal is:

Specific: Clear and well-defined

Measurable: How will you know when you've achieved it

Achievable: Realistic within your resources

Relevant: Aligned with your broader aims

Time-bound: Has a clear deadline

This helps to ensure that each goal is considered and all core aspects of achieving it have been taken into consideration.

4. Identify Required Resources 

List what you'll need to achieve each goal. This could include resources like training or qualifications, time commitments or financial requirements. 

It might also include support from other people. Keep reading to find out how to build your support network.

5. Track Your Progress

Our personal development plan template includes dedicated sections for:

• Regular progress updates
• Milestone achievements
• Adjustments to your plan
• Learning reflections

Extra Tips 

Here are a few additional tips to help you get the most from your Personal Development Plan.

Remember to Lean on Your Support Networks

While having a personal development plan template is essential, implementing your PDP shouldn't be a solo journey. Many people focus on filling in their PDP template but forget that building a strong support network can significantly improve their chances of success.

Wondering who might be able to aid your development? Key people in your support network could include:

• Mentors and coaches who can guide your development, for instance through the GROW coaching model
• Peers who can share experiences and offer support
• Professional contacts who can open new opportunities
• Colleagues who can provide feedback and encouragement

Schedule Regular Review and Updates

Your PDP shouldn't be a static document. Evaluating learning and development should become a regular habit - schedule monthly check-ins to review progress and quarterly deep-dives to assess if your goals need adjusting. 

This regular evaluation helps maintain momentum and ensures your development stays on track.

Benefits Beyond Career Progression

While PDPs are excellent tools for career advancement, they offer many other benefits:

• Improved confidence and job satisfaction
• Better mental wellbeing through clear direction and purpose
• Enhanced work-life balance through structured development
• Increased motivation and engagement at work

Link to Workplace Performance

Your PDP can be a powerful tool in performance reviews and career discussions. It demonstrates initiative and commitment to your professional growth, while helping align your development with organisational needs. Share relevant parts with your manager to show how your goals support team and business objectives.

Take Your Development Further

Ready to start your career development journey? Check out our free Personal Development Plan template below and begin mapping your path to success. 

And if you're looking to supercharge your professional growth, explore our range of business and leadership courses designed to help you achieve your goals faster.

Your Personal Development Plan Template

Before starting, consider both your long-term career aspirations and immediate development needs at least monthly.

List the specific steps you'll take to achieve this goal:

Consider what and who you need to help you succeed:

Repeat for additional goals using the format above. Track your progress regularly. Aim to update this at least monthly.

Example of a completed PDP template: