CPD without a plan tends to be whatever courses land in your inbox. A simple plan takes an hour and makes the whole year calmer.
1. Review last year
Look at what you logged. Which areas got lots of attention, and which went quiet? What feedback did you get at appraisal?
2. Choose two or three focus areas
Pick areas linked to your role, your regulator's expectations and where you want your career to go. Fewer, clearer goals are easier to keep.
3. Set a realistic target
If your body sets hours, start there. If not, choose a target you can hit with steady effort, such as a few hours a month.
4. Map activities to each goal
Mix formal learning with reading, mentoring and learning on the job. Put dates against them so they actually happen.
5. Check in every quarter
A quick review each quarter shows whether you are on course and lets you adjust as priorities shift.
Prefer paper? Download the annual CPD planner. Or use the free online CPD planner, where your plan and your log sit together and progress updates as you record learning.
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