Perhaps against your intuition, way of thinking, or expectation. NOW is the perfect time to invest in your personal development!

Coaching and training programs are essential at any time, especially in a (economic) crisis: it contributes to personal growth, ability to reflect, be creative and grow your flexibility and resilience. Developing this makes you powerful and therefore interesting for employers, especially in times of crisis.

Every crisis causes tensions. Tensions which usually affect the financial wellbeing. So what happens instantly is that companies, and individuals start saving costs, reduce expenditure immediately. Because of lost income, investments that have to be earned back, uncertainty about what the future will bring…Sounds familiar? To me it does. When the crisis caused by COVID hit, I too started to look at my financial plannig.

In many companies and households, one of the first things to cut costs on is coaching and training; investing in personal development! In my view, a big mistake! If there is one thing I have learnt from the past is not to stop investing in myself, because if I cut on that, I stop growing, and then I become less interesting for my clients. And as an employee you would quickly become a less relevant employee for your (future) employer.

Rather than waiting for the news around cost savings in your organisation, I recommend you to think about your personal development plan now! What ways will you find to invest in your own future and personal growth? Think broadly, think outside the box! As I love to be creative about how to get things done anyway, I herewith share some ideas to get you started:

1. Invest your holiday allowance in a training or coaching program

2. Request (or give) a coaching session for a birthday

3. Discuss these options with your supervisor, HR or training manager:

  • Request a budget through one of the government initiatives (eg in The Netherlands this initiative just launched NL Leert Door)
  • Share the costs of the coaching or training between you and your employer
  • Exchange days off for a personal development budget
  • ….

As you can see there are plenty of opportunities to continue to develop yourself and remain a relevant employee in the future. If you have some more great ideas, please share them here!

If you want me to brainstorm with you, talk to your manager about the possibilities, or if you wish to receive more information about my way of working, please contact me and we will meet.

brechje@brechjevangeenen.nl | +31 – 6 53444457 | www.brechjevangeenen.nl