{"id":3293,"date":"2022-09-06T19:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-06T18:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/discountsforcarers.com\/blog\/?p=3293"},"modified":"2022-09-20T13:16:02","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T12:16:02","slug":"your-personal-development-as-a-care-worker-tips-from-mark-topps-at-log-my-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/discountsforcarers.com\/blog\/your-personal-development-as-a-care-worker-tips-from-mark-topps-at-log-my-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Personal Development as a Care Worker – Tips from Mark Topps at Log My Care"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Here at Discounts for Carers we are passionate about improving the lives of carers which is why we are proud to work with and support care management providers Log my Care<\/span><\/strong><\/a>. In this blog, Regional Business Manager and Consultant at Log my Care,<\/span> Mark Topps defines what personal development means in social care and how you can create a career plan to help achieve your long-term professional goals. Log My Care’s ethos is to use its platform to support Carers across the country, and Discounts for Carers is extremely proud to support their incredible work. Here are some of his top personal development tips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is personal development?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Personal development is the process of self-improvement, which focuses on building up your own awareness, knowledge and skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social care is amazing as there are so many career pathways including ones away from the frontline like marketing, data analysis, recruitment and many more \u2013 there\u2019s truly a job for everyone within the social care industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barriers to development in social care<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After speaking to a number of training providers recently, it\u2019s clear there\u2019s a significant drop in the number of carers and support workers that want to undertake further training. The main reasons for this are burnout from COVID, needing a break or simply just wanting to focus on personal lives. So, what can you do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create a development plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re reading this as a care worker, I want you to think about your long-term goal. What is it that you want to achieve within your career? Do you want to progress or are you happy in the role you\u2019re currently in?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you think about your own personal development and the goals you have for your future, think about what you want to achieve, both personally and work-wise. Studies have shown that reaching your goals increases motivation, improves health and has also been shown to increase productivity. It\u2019s important, therefore for you to have goals, however big or small, as they can help to guide you, focus you and sustain momentum in your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key tips to consider when looking at your personal development:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>
– Think about the next three years, and then break down the overarching goal into smaller goals

— Think about personal and work goals.

– Step outside of your comfort zone and learn new skills

– Don\u2019t compare yourself to others or follow the crowd \u2013 just be yourself

– Identify your strengths and your weaknesses

– Think and don\u2019t rush into things

– Set time to achieve your goals and set timeframes for them

– Track your progression

– Celebrate achievement

– Ask for support or ideas

– Network and ask other managers

– Be selfish and think about you, your future and your career.<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Do a course<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m often asked about my career journey, and when I look back, I feel that I\u2019ve achieved a lot in a short space of time, but I often wish I\u2019d given my younger self more career opportunities. If I could go back in time and do it all again, I\u2019d get a social work degree or nursing degree alongside working in social care, to give me something to fall back on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is something I recommend to younger care workers coming into the sector without families and bills (things get expensive once you start having kids!) Grasp all the opportunities you\u2019re given and don\u2019t forget; you can always work part-time whilst studying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to further training and development, it\u2019s important to think outside of the box. Could you do a short course that may benefit you further down the line in your career, perhaps something in marketing, social media, teaching etc.? This will equip you with more knowledge and skills and allow you to diversify your career journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn a new skill<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For many of us, we\u2019ve reached a point where we don\u2019t want to study anymore \u2013 and there\u2019s nothing wrong with that! I truly believe we shouldn\u2019t be hard on ourselves or our colleagues if this is the choice that\u2019s made, but instead we should focus on personal goals such as taking up a long-lost hobby, learning to drive, learning a new skill or focusing on giving ourselves a work-life balance. Studies have shown that undertaking something personal, improves work-life balance as you\u2019ll be setting time aside for you to achieve your personal goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know first-hand the challenges of setting time aside. You have your role, overtime, personal life etc., but it\u2019s crucial to set time to look at your goals and reflect on your progress towards these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take the next steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Remember, personal development doesn\u2019t have to be about doing a qualification or something work-related, it could be a personal goal that helps you achieve outside of the workplace or gives you that sense of purpose and belonging. Create your vision and invest in yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some parting bits of advice:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n