As I write this blog I have a sense of relief and excitement as a package has just left my hands in Singapore, and headed to Australia via the post office. The package contains evidence of my professional development for accreditation by the International Federation for Professional Speakers (IFFPS). The accreditation of Certified Professional Speaker (CPS), should I be successful, will in some way validate the work I have done as a professional speaker in the last 10 years – But most importantly the process of accreditation forced me to look at my competencies and business practices and make sure they were of the highest standard.

This is just one of the professional development goals I set for myself this year. I am also undergoing credentialing with the International Coach Federation (ICF) for the level of Professional Certified Coach (PCC). Why am I doing this? Well because at the beginning of this year I had a bit of time due to the downturn and I set the intention to make sure I was aligned with the fastest growing professional body for executive coaches. Do I need the credential? Probably not as my coaching practice is pretty healthy with regular referrals from satisfied clients, but the process of meeting the requirements has caused me to step back and consider how I engage as an executive coach and how I run my business.

A component of Self Leadership is self-directed learning. John F. Kennedy said, “Leadership and Learning are Indispensable.” By challenging ourselves to read more, connect with peers or mentors, we constantly grow and develop and this growth makes us more marketable.

Have you set a goal to be at the top of your field? What would it take?

Remember there are no prizes for excellence in goofing off!