What exactly is professional development?

Here are some of my thoughts on professional development:

First: I do not count time on the Internet reading training porn written by keyboard cowboys with no skin in the game. But time on the Internet on sites like Ted, Seth Godin do count. They challenge you and make you think.

Second: Read books and research articles in and out of your field. Read authors that challenges your thinking. I try to read 100 books a year. I spend close to one thousand dollars on subscriptions to periodicals and scientific journals a year.

Third: Find a mentor not a guru someone who can be your bullshit filter and who will guide you and challenge you.

Fourth: Interact with other professionals, attend conferences, and take trips to observe other professionals you respect.

Fifth: Invite other professional to come and evaluate your work, they will see things you miss.