the means by which members of professional associations maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge and skills and develop the personal qualities required in their professional lives'.
I see the cons of that much more than the pros. Learning for want of improving skills relating to one's passion or ultimate goals is much more enriching than learning for want of improving present performance in order to get to the next level. But, doing the latter seemed more focused and therefore more acceptable amongst colleagues and bosses.
I now believe that a broader approach to learning can also help one get to the next level, perhaps through a different path or entailing some commitments upfront. In fact, a broader approach might be more satisfying and enlightening than a highly focused approach to professional development. For instance, I can see myself getting to where I want to be using the latter, but the former is a much happier path because it is aligned to my current needs and desires. Even more so in the light of the changes in our work dynamics and the apparent blurring between personal and professional lives.
Thinking about the CPD and having to record it now because of my affiliations has helped me rediscover my interests and align them with my long-term personal goals, without fear of what my employer thinks because the CPD is indeed a personal document.
