Developing yourself

The difference between training and development is that training helps you to be better at your current job. Development prepares you for future jobs.

Therefore, you must not discount training courses. However, your focus should be on development. Make the time and set development objectives for yourself if you want to earn more money and have a higher standard of living in the future. Don't be content to only focus on training courses.

In these tough economic times, you need to take your professional development into your own hands more than every before. Your manager is not likely to go and grovel for education funds to develop your career - he is also paying attention and realizes that asking for funds at this time is not a pleasant task.

I studied at the University of Phoenix. Many other people have also improved their careers by completing online development courses. When people ask me why I chose to study online, my answer is always the same: it allowed me flexibility. I was able to fast-track my MBA and take classes in parallel on a schedule that suited me at the time.

You have two options. You get to make this choice, every day. Which choice works for you?
1. Be content with your current position in life, and wait for someone to provide training courses for you.
2. Go out and find development courses so that you are ready to take a better position in the future, with the commensurate rewards.