Course/Programme: BA (Hons) Business Studies with Foundation

Module Title: Personal and Professional Development (PPD)

Assignment title: Individual Reflective Journal

Student Name: Elena Isabela Vasile

Student ID: c100049564

Skills and development ................................................................................................................... 4

Kolb’s Reflective Model ................................................................................................................. 7

Action Plan with objectives to hone these skills in the future ........................................................ 9

Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 13

References ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Introduction

A better way to define continuing personal development is as the collection of strategies, goals,

and activities that a person engages in as they progress through the learning and growing process.

To attain greater personality development and progress, a person must enhance or include a set of

abilities in his learning process. Communication, research, networking, teamwork, time

management, and problem-solving abilities are among the abilities that aid in an individual's

personal development. These abilities are crucial for someone to enhance their learning and

personal development. In the next reflective diary, we will talk about the value of different abilities

in the learning process. Additionally, it will outline the analysis or procedure utilised to hone

different reflective process skills utilising Kolb's reflective model. A future implications plan using

different talents and how they can help in future aspects will also be included in the reflective

journal report.
Skills and development

Information and communication technology skills: I have come to understand the significance

of ICT for efficient self-learning to acquire a higher degree in business studies and management.

Throughout the lesson, I noticed how these abilities improve my understanding of software and

how I use computers to effectively learn from various academic resources. I believe that these ICT

abilities will help implement digital resources in my research a result. I will be able to employ

audio-visual resources for both my teaching and learning. I have discovered that ICT enables

cutting-edge educational tools and periodicals to foster active cooperation (Dimitrovski and

Dimitrovska Andrews, 2020).

Teamwork and networking skills- I have seen and personally experienced how teamwork has

improved the learning atmosphere in the classroom, which has the potential to boost positive

thinking. I have discovered that forming networks and working in teams are effective ways to solve

many issues. I will use my networking and teamwork skills to strengthen the group's

communication and foster improved employee connections. I have discovered that to keep good

relationships with everyone at work, I need to develop my networking and teamwork abilities

more. I believe that doing projects on time will improve my time management abilities (Shin et

al., 2019).

Communication Skills- I have been able to expand my vocabulary thanks to my writing abilities.

I can now communicate with my lecturers and classmates more effectively because of my verbal

abilities. By doing so, I was able to increase my sense of initiative and my knowledge base. I can

now better communicate my expertise thanks to my writing abilities. Since then, the quality of my

notes has increased, which has helped me earn higher scores. My speaking abilities have improved,
and I feel more at ease speaking in front of groups thanks to the group talks. I feel better about

myself now (Han et al., 2021).

Research Skills- My knowledge base has been enriched by the research skills I have developed

throughout the semester. This has improved the calibre of my notes, helped me organise them, and

enabled me to present my ideas and assignment in a structured manner. I have been able to get the

academics' respect and have the ability to deliver educational writing materials. My ability to take

and organise notes has improved and centralised my research abilities, which have assisted me in

gathering pertinent and significant knowledge on the necessary themes (Althiyabi, 2019).

Time and Self-management- The capacity to properly prioritise tasks and balance limited time

to achieve goals is a sign of having good time management abilities. This includes creating goals

that are suitable, organising tasks, and managing interruptions to improve performance and

productivity. Self-management abilities are related to the capacity of an individual to modify their

emotions and planned behaviours to accomplish desired goals. This calls for self-control, self-

awareness, and the capacity to properly handle stress and emotions. Along with a decrease in stress,

my productivity will rise. Also, I will manage the balance between my personal and professional

lives by prioritising my time, which will assist me in reaching several desirable long-term

objectives (Hunsaker and Hunsaker, 2019).

Problem-solving skills- The ability to identify different concerns, followed by brainstorming,

critical analysis, and implementation of the issue's beneficial implications, is correlated with

problem-solving abilities. These particular abilities will help someone think outside the box to

come up with original and inventive solutions to challenges. My ability to solve problems will

enable me to look at the problem from a different angle, analyse numerous approaches to tackling

it, and ultimately come up with several creative solutions (Morse and Matzen, 2019).
Kolb’s Reflective Model

This reflective model was developed by David A. Kolb to aid in the analysis of the many stages of

the reflection processes (Kolb, 2019). This paradigm is broken down into four stages, which

together make up a cycle. For the creation of efficient learning strategies, Kolb's reflective cycle

must be analysed. The stages are referred to as active exploration, abstract conceptualisation,

concrete experience, and reflective observation. As I mentioned earlier, the analysis will also help

me develop a variety of talents.

Concrete Experience: This is the initial stage of the cycle when it is necessary to relate an earlier

encounter with a certain thing, the various emotions that were present at the time, and the learnings

that resulted from that encounter. I applied my abilities, for instance, in a group discussion setting.

The discussion about the employment of contemporary technology in corporate sectors involved

a team of seven people (Kita, 2019). I took part apprehensively while doing some preliminary

investigation on the subject. As the event went on, I discovered that my group members understood

a lot more than I did and had conducted superior research and internal discussion. I was lacking in

self-assurance and hesitant to speak much. My group mates as a result received compliments and

marks that were higher than mine.

Reflective Observation: The reflective cycle's second stage entails analysing many facets of the

earlier event and its results. Here, for instance, I had to consider the numerous factors that

prevented me from performing better at the group discussion event. I found that I needed to

develop a variety of skills, including self-management, networking, and teamwork as well as

communication. I had trouble communicating my thoughts to my group at the event because I was

not very good at it. I interacted with my teammates less due to a lack of networking and teamwork,

which made me appear quiet and introverted in their eyes. Even at the event, I was unable to
effectively coordinate with the group. My lack of research abilities revealed a lack of specificity

in my understanding. I also learned that I need to work on my self-management skills so I can

evaluate my abilities and those of others before going to any event (Asgari and Moloudi, 2020).

Abstract Conceptualisation: The third phase is when the conclusion must be drawn based on prior

knowledge and thoughtful reflection. I came to the conclusion from the earlier rounds that I need

to significantly increase my research, teamwork, and networking skills. I realised that I need to

communicate with more of my peers to improve my verbal communication. I also concluded that

I need to work on my self-management skills a little bit so I can analyse myself better (Karaman

and Caner, 2019).

Active Experimentation: The reflective cycle's final stage requires new planning and the

application of the theory. I decided to speak with my tutors and learn more about the subjects that

are frequently covered in the classes. I will also start conversations about the subject with my peers

and seniors to see how knowledgeable they are. Both networking and communication abilities will

benefit from this. To promote better coordination, I will also take part in teamwork activities more

frequently (Wei et al., 2020).

Skills How will I develop Time Period How will this benefit me

Direct conversation with my Depending on my current My ability to communicate

friends and coworkers is state and capacity for better will enable me to

necessary for communication. improvement, I can refine express my ideas clearly.

Furthermore, in to improve and polish my Better communication

my communication skills. I communication skills in a abilities would make it

have to talk to my friends or month or two. How easier for me to engage

Communication coworkers a lot. For instance, frequently I can interact with my friends and

my chances of improving my with my friends or coworkers and assist them

communication skills increase coworkers and how quickly to comprehend and resolve

the more I talk to a buddy or I can absorb their their problems. I can

coworker or share my ideas knowledge will determine express my ideas or notions

with them. how quickly my to my superiors or team

communication abilities leaders more effectively if I

will improve. The sooner I have good communication

can adapt, the quicker I can skills. In turn, this will

master this ability (Dwyer improve my standing with

& Hopwood, 2020). them.

Research The ability to appraise a Depending on how quickly The ability to use my

situation, look at its different I can learn to assess, knowledge and skills to

aspects, intellectualise its differentiate, and connect properly interpret the

components, comprehend its the numerous aspects to get results of an evaluation can
 relationships, and come to an a useful conclusion, honing be improved by honing my

appropriate conclusion are all my research skills might research skills. I can come

necessary components of take me a month or two. to more precise and in-

research skills. The more research depth judgements on a

activities I participate in, subject or its topic if my

the more I can learn and the research skills are

faster I can grow as a improved. This ability

person. could help me better or

more understand the issue.

Teamwork and Networking and teamwork I can spend a month Developing networking

Networking cannot be achieved on their perfecting my networking and teamwork skills will

own. Teamwork and and teamwork skills. But, it enable me to share the

networking are fundamentally is contingent upon my burdens of reaching a

based on engagement, capacity for learning and shared objective with my

communication, and how frequently I friends or coworkers. I can

understanding. participate in collaborative talk to my friends about my

exercises. I have more problems and seek their

opportunities to work on advice, and I can also

and develop these skill sets support them by hearing

to my advantage the more I about their challenges and

engage in collaboration and stepping up to the plate to

concentrate on group tackle them as best I can.

activities.
Team and Self- My continuing personal The degree to which I can I can maintain discipline as

Management development depends on invest myself in them will a student and as a

working on my team and self- determine how much I can professional employee by

management skills. I should develop my leadership and developing team and self-

make it a practice to reflect on self-management abilities. management skills. These

myself and learn how to While I can develop my abilities will allow me to be

engage and express my self-management skills in more productive and

concerns to friends or two to three weeks, it might complete my assignments

coworkers. take me a little longer to on schedule.

work on my teamwork

(two weeks more). Yet, it

depends on how involved I

am.

Problem-Solving I can enhance my problem- I can improve my problem- Developing problem-

solving abilities by routinely solving abilities within a solving abilities can help

partaking in intellectual month, depending on how you become a great

pursuits like practising maths quickly I can pick things up problem-solver. As a

or completing puzzles and and adapt. How often I can student and employee, I

riddles. communicate with friends will have the ability to

or coworkers and how recognise and address

quickly I can change issues. Such a talent can

myself to accommodate the help me get favour with my

developments will
determine how much I can friends, coworkers, and

improve my problem- superiors.

solving abilities (Dunn &

Runco, 2020).
Conclusion

An essential component of personality development and self-management is personal and

professional development. I became aware of the necessity of incorporating certain abilities into

my job and future professional pathways thanks to the significance of diverse skills. In my

professional career, having productive interactions with everyone has been made possible by my

communication and networking abilities. I can evaluate myself before making any decisions thanks

to my self- and time-management skills, and I can divide my time well among numerous

responsibilities. The ability to conduct research has improved my capacity for learning and given

me a greater understanding of every topic. Through analysing Kolb's reflective model, I was able

to evaluate a variety of prior experiences and make the appropriate and essential modifications to

upcoming endeavours. The potential applications of these abilities have shown me various ways

in which they might help me in the future and my professional career.

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