Continuous Development Plan

Ok, so I wrote that I have been to Women Across the Highlands and was inspired by Ann Allen to create a Continuous Development Plan otherwise known as a C.D.P.


Before I set my mind to this task, which incidently I do feel will be helpful in remaining focussed on my walk with God, I want to look at what the scriptures say about making plans.


Whilst it can be profitable to lay down some kind of aims or objectives for our lives it is a blessing to remember that God Himself has already made plans for our lives.

Jeremiah 29:11

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


He provides for us:


Acts 14:17
   Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

We must not be anxious:

Philippians 4:6
   Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And so with these thoughts in mind, I am asking God to show me what to include in my CDP.

  

A fundamental principle at the heart of many quality management systems is “Plan – Do – Check – Act”, first championed by Deming in the 1950′s:

• Plan – design or revise a business process or system or product
• Do – implement the plan and measure the result
• Check – evaluate the measurements or results
• Act – decide if further changes are appropriate and, if so, what these should be; then back again to…
• Plan – re-design or revise the process, system, product
• etc.

This cyclic feedback process helps you achieve continuous improvement in the way you work, and in many respects it’s pretty obvious.


For Christians it may be adapted like so:

• Plan – Pray, seek a prayer partner or a good friend as a sounding board to share your thoughts. Be careful not to over-commit yourself and so spread yourself so thinly that you don't do anything really well.
• Do – all to the glory of God. Always do your very best. We want to shine brightly in everything that we turn our hands to.
• Check – Be open to constructive criticism - again a prayer partner is invaluable for this. Be humble, ready to learn and grow in Christ.
• Act – Pray again... pray for help where needed - He DOES provide. Commit your ways to Him.
• Plan – Revise your aims and be ready to submit to God when things don't go according to your plans... His ways are perfect - consistently.

Back soon - shine brightly
Julie