Consultancy is an activity or process during which a consultant – acting as an expert and specialist in a particular field – provides the client with ready solutions (adjusted to the client's actual needs) related to the area of interest indicated by the client.
As a result of consultancy activities, the client may receive an expertise, specific opinion, diagnosis of situation, different versions of solutions and assistance in their implementation.
A common feature of coaching and consultancy is their objective, which is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the client's activities by finding new solutions.
As opposed to consultancy, coaching assumes that the client works out and implements their own solutions independently, based on the whole knowledge, skills and experience possessed by them. The coach is a partner who supports the client during this process.
How to start your ''adventure'' with personal development?
If we were asked what we understood by personal development, probably each of us would give a different definition, which would clearly result from our awareness, describing our attitude towards ourselves and the surrounding reality. The reason is that each individual is different in many aspects. We differ from each other in our abilities, experiences, interests, the way we respond to particular situations. These are individual differences that shape our identity and uniqueness – personality.
We can say that development functions in two spheres of human activity – the consciousness and the unconsciousness. The sphere of unconsciousness refers to aspirations and activities which are often based on generally accepted patterns. We try to be better (often than the others) in what we do, and we compete with the world. This continues to the point when we face a situation in which the achievement of goals no longer brings the expected satisfaction, so we begin to wonder ''where we have made the mistake''. It is only then when we start to realise that everything that has happened to us does not longer fit our model of the world. If we admit that perhaps we are the ones who have contributed to that situation, it will be the first step towards a conscious development. At this point we start to believe that there is something in us which decides on what we experience in our life.
If we dare to go in this direction, we can make amazing discoveries concerning our psyche and the things that determine our behaviour and life. The change that occurs in us may affect our responses and choices and may thus change the way we perceive reality. It is worth acting in accordance with a well organized plan. We should start with the following reflections: what do we want to achieve? for what reason? why? What skills can we improve? what do we want to gain? Such an approach towards life may lead to a noticeable change in our relations with the people around, and it can give us more courage and confidence in action. The things to be done may turn out easier than previously thought, and suddenly we can realise that the things we have been dreaming of, which seemed to be unattainable are now available and within arm's reach. Therefore, personal development should be understood as a search for our inner world, walking across our garden of emotions, tidying it up, taking care of everything that is useful and good, and eliminating all distracting elements.
So personal development should be understood as an instrument not a goal in itself. Otherwise, it will be just groping – but that is not the point, is it?
Best Regards.