ask yourselfthe professional development deck

Before you choose

A pivot is not only about the destination. Before and while you choose, these are the questions worth sitting with. The Professional Development deck, read as a personal self-audit, in six groupings. There are no right answers, only clearer ones.

// reflect

Where you are now

12 prompts

An honest read of your present, the ground you are actually standing on.

Current Situation card
Current Situation
Where you are at
Position & Title card
Position & Title
Your role within the organization & industry
Industry card
Industry
The field(s) you are working within
Work Environment card
Work Environment
The setup, working hours & culture
Workstyle card
Workstyle
How you work & like to work
Tasks & Responsibilities card
Tasks & Responsibilities
The space you take in projects and teams
Benefits card
Benefits
Perks that come with your job
Income & Spending card
Income & Spending
What you earn & how money is spent
Energy card
Energy
What energizers & drains you
Stress card
Stress
Understand & handle stress
Health card
Health
Current state & history you need to be aware of
Self-Esteem card
Self-Esteem
Factors that influence your confidence
// reflect

What you have

10 prompts

The assets, proof and people you can already draw on.

Skills card
Skills
Things you do well
Tools card
Tools
What is in your toolbox
Certifications card
Certifications
Diplomas, grades & recommendations
Education card
Education
From school & university to courses & training
Portfolio & CV card
Portfolio & CV
How you present yourself & show your work
Professional Network card
Professional Network
Connections, relationships & interactions
Recommendations card
Recommendations
Who & why recommends you
Advantages card
Advantages
What gives an advantage over others
Support System card
Support System
From family & friends, to state benefits
Investment card
Investment
Buffer, savings & assets
// reflect

Who you are

10 prompts

The person underneath the job, and what actually moves you.

Values card
Values
Core principles that guide you
Personality card
Personality
How you are as a person
Interests card
Interests
Hobbies & passions
Dreams card
Dreams
Ideal life you see on the horizon
Theme(s) card
Theme(s)
Patterns in things that interests you
Cultural Background card
Cultural Background
How your upbringing has shaped you
Lifestyle card
Lifestyle
Your way or style of living
Stories card
Stories
Notable stories & events from your life
Secrets card
Secrets
Things you don't want to reveal
Appearance card
Appearance
How you dress & carry yourself
// reflect

How you work and grow

10 prompts

The habits and feedback loops that decide whether a move sticks.

Habits & Routines card
Habits & Routines
Patterns & behaviors you have or want to have
Organizational System card
Organizational System
How you plan, organize & document your work
Learning & Training card
Learning & Training
Improve skills & get better at what you do
Feedback card
Feedback
Opinions & comments for improvement
Mentorship card
Mentorship
Give & receive help
Failures card
Failures
Errors & what you learn from them
Rest & Recovery card
Rest & Recovery
How you recharge
Distractions card
Distractions
What & who distracts you & in what way
Collaboration card
Collaboration
What kind of people you want to work with
Expectations card
Expectations
What you expect from yourself & others
// reflect

Where you're going

12 prompts

The direction, and what it will honestly take to get there.

Goals card
Goals
Short- & long-term professional targets
Paths card
Paths
Possible ways & what it takes
Specialization card
Specialization
The path you chose to focus on
Unexplored card
Unexplored
Rocks that you didn't turn, yet
Side-Projects card
Side-Projects
Projects aside from your main job
Job Market card
Job Market
The process of finding & getting jobs
Risks card
Risks
Identify & manage risks in different situations
Personal Branding card
Personal Branding
The story you tell about yourself
Online Presence card
Online Presence
Your existence on the internet
Elevator Pitch card
Elevator Pitch
Short presentation of yourself
Challenges card
Challenges
Obstacles in front of you
// reflect

The field around you

12 prompts

The forces and people shaping the game you are playing.

Competition card
Competition
The people running the 'same race' as you
Power card
Power
Who influences & affects your professional life
Prestige card
Prestige
What is seen as high status
Norms card
Norms
Dos & don'ts at work & in society
Credit card
Credit
Getting recognition for your work
Conflicts card
Conflicts
How you act & handle conflicts
Language card
Language
The role language plays in your work
Locations card
Locations
Role of places in your life
Global Challenges card
Global Challenges
Big topics you like to address
Social Circles card
Social Circles
People you spend time with & how they affect you
Retirement card
Retirement
Plans & preparation for life after work
Vacation card
Vacation
Time off work