← Don't Skip the Middle. Then,
Step Five | Document It
Just like that, you’re done. Or are you? The truth is a Personal Theory of Practice is never fully done, or at least not forever. Your aim should be to get your draft to a place that feels both true and useful. Look back at your definition of success that you developed in Preparation for the development of your PTOP. What did you say an effective PTOP looked like to you? What role did you imagine it playing in your life or work? If your draft meets those criteria, then save it somewhere accessible. You might print it out and keep it in the top drawer of a desk or record a simple voice note version of it to play back to yourself when you’re feeling like you need your own guidance.
Then take some time to reflect. At some point, you may want to revisit this draft and update it. You will both change and remain the same, and rest assured that your career and the wider context will twist and turn. Reflecting on what worked well for you and what open questions you may want to delve into in the future can create a platform for future iterations.
If you’re working in a group, take time in Session Five to reflect on the process itself, for yourself as an individual and as a participant in a group. You might record it as a reference point for yourself in the future. Take time to also write-up unique approaches that you may have developed in the course of this process — it can serve as a guide to others interested in this work in the future. We’d love to hear about it.
Step Six | Sustain It
Now, consider how you might want to move forward. The Guiding Questions below can help ensure that your commitment to your PTOP is a meaningful, ongoing, and active part of your professional and personal life — if you want it to be. They can also inform a key conversation for groups: if/how will the group continue meeting and how do we stay accountable to ourselves and to each other? If you do decide to stick it out together, check out our sample agenda for future check-ins, pull from our library of techniques to keep things fresh, and review our learnings for additional tips on moving forward.Guiding Questions
Do I want my PTOP to be a living document?
When is it important to revisit/update? (When I’m looking for a new job? Six months into a new job? etc.)
How frequently do I want to revisit or update my PTOP? (Weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually, etc.)
Which accountability measures could I put in place today to make sure my PTOP remains relevant/unforgotten? Who, how, and what does accountability look like?
What are the major takeaways from my PTOP?
Do I want an abridged version?
Can I create a mantra, business card-sized reference, piece of artwork to remind me of my commitments/goals?
What kind of ongoing relationship do we want as a group?
Do we want an opt-in opportunity to have semi-regular check-ins? What format should those check-ins take?
How can we make it easy for our future selves to stay connected and share progress?
What questions do we want to be asking ourselves 4-6 months from now?