Professional Development and Personal Development go hand in hand. Some tasks are obviously one and the same and some are a mixture of both. What would be professional development to one would be personal development to another. The real question then, is what's the advantage? Well, there really isn't any one answer to this question. Professional and Personal Development overlap, but not in the sense of "they're both development." In fact, there are very few tasks that can be considered a purely personal development task. Professional and Personal Development overlap in that while they are both necessary skills, it's important to remember that they are two different aspects of the same "push-pull" equation that must be balanced when undertaking any given activity. Taking personal development courses certainly helps you learn how to better yourself and your skills as a person. It also gives you the time management skills necessary to make sure you have time for all the projects on your plate. But time management alone is not the key enabler of a successful work-life balance. We all need other intangibles in addition to time management. For example, we all need a sense of purpose and meaning. What's the best way to get those intangibles? Professional Development Skills Training, of course! Dr. Robert H Keller, founder of Personal Development Associates (PDA), says, ""The power of effective personal and professional development lies in being able to set goals and then having the confidence to pursue those goals." The power of goal setting cannot be emphasized enough, especially for a professional development program aimed at creating a meaningful life. There are many tools available today that help us in our quest to create meaningful lives. The most important factor in creating the perfect personal development plan is to identify the desired outcomes and to map them out. Goals need to be clearly defined, specific, attainable, and focused. A professional development system provides the necessary infrastructure to support you in this process. As mentioned above, many people don't even realize the importance of their personal development skills. In fact, studies show that people only pay attention to their financial security, health, and well-being. However, if you look back over your lifetime, you will see that many people are more concerned with their personal growth and development. In fact, studies have shown that when adults have a sense of self-development, they tend to live longer and enjoy higher levels of happiness. The Self-development mindset encourages you to set lofty goals, to try new things, to take risks, to be self-active, and to feel empowered. This can help you achieve more in your personal and professional lives. Another important aspect of developing your Personal Development Skill Set is to learn time management skills. Many people underestimate the value of time management, which is why professional development courses are so important. The first skill that you need to learn is prioritization. When it comes to time management, the goal is to set aside time for what is important, and to do those things first. You will discover that there are many benefits to prioritizing your tasks, and once you begin to understand this, you will likely find that your productivity increases dramatically. Finally, in order to develop your Personal Development Skill Sets, you must be willing to try new things, to listen to your heart, and to make the most of your resources. These things may seem difficult or impossible at first, but when you commit to them, you will find that you have far more control over your life and your career. You also open yourself up to learning new things every day. As you gain control of your life, you are also able to accept responsibility for your own success. This means that you will have no reason not to strive for success, and you will certainly have more opportunities to pursue.