Inner Growth Journey: Doing & Reviewing Phase

Welcome to the dynamic Doing & Reviewing stage!  Here, your strategic goals transform into real-world actions, followed by critical assessment.

It’s a cycle of effort, evaluation, and refinement – essential for achieving goals and lasting personal growth.

If you’ve completed the Strategizing phase, you have a roadmap ready.  Now’s the time to start following it! 

For those new to the framework, taking actions aligned with your values and aspirations from the Assessing and Aspiring stages will lead to the greatest success.

Facing the Challenge

The shift from planning to doing is exciting, but for many, it’s also the most difficult part of the journey.  It requires consistent focus, the ability to bounce back from setbacks, and overcoming the temptation to fall back into old habits.  

Don’t be discouraged by off days – they’re normal!  We’ll provide strategies to help you stay motivated and on track.

Small Steps for Big Goals

Break down those big goals into manageable steps with this simple routine for turning quarterly aspirations into weekly and daily actions:

Starting Off Strong

For each goal, start by reviewing your quarterly SMART targets and ask yourself:

• What do I want to achieve by the end of this month that contributes to this quarterly goal? Write this down.
• What smaller steps can I take this week (and each of the 4 weeks) to move closer to that milestone? Write these down.
• What can I do today to get started? Write it down.

For example, if your quarterly goal is to “improve self-compassion by reading 2 books, practicing mindfulness daily, and tracking mood”:

• Week 1: Choose two self-compassion books and start reading the first. Find 3 guided mindfulness meditations online.
• Week 2: Continue reading. Practice a different mindfulness exercise three times this week. Begin a mood-tracking journal.
• Week 3: Keep reading. Experiment with different meditation techniques to find what works best for you.
• Week 4: Read daily. Aim for a consistent daily mindfulness practice, even just 5 minutes. Analyze mood journal entries for patterns.

Your daily goals could then be:

• Read 10-20 pages of the self-compassion book.
• Complete your chosen mindfulness practice (meditation, mindful walk, etc.).
• Before bed, journal about your day, focusing on your inner dialogue and emotional state.

Once written down, block dedicated time in your calendar for each daily task.  This ensures they get done!

Weekly Review

At the end of each week, dedicate time to review your accomplishments and progress:

• What obstacles did I face, and how can I overcome them next week?
• What did you achieve? 
• What worked well? 
• What do I need to improve?
• What did you enjoy?
• Were my weekly targets aligned with my monthly goals?

Use your responses to plan adjustments for the coming week. These weekly reviews ensure you stay on track and celebrate the progress you’ve made towards your quarterly SMART goals.

Weekly Planning

Now it’s time to plan the week ahead!  Refer back to your monthly goals and your insights from last week’s review to guide your planning process:

1. Weekly Target:  What specific actions do you need to complete this week to stay on track for your monthly goal?  Write it down.
2. Reflect & Adjust:  Based on your answers in the weekly review, consider:
   • Are any obstacles likely to arise again? How can you proactively address them?
   • What strategies from last week were successful? Ensure your plan includes them.
   • Do any of your weekly goals from last week need to be adjusted?
3. Break It Down:  Identify the specific daily tasks that contribute to your weekly target. Write them down.
4. Schedule It In:  Block out time in your calendar for each daily task.  Treat them as non-negotiable appointments with yourself.

Example: If your monthly goal is related to exercise, and last week you struggled to fit in workouts due to unexpected work commitments, your planning might include:

• Weekly Target: Complete 4 workouts this week.
• Proactive Planning: Schedule workouts for early morning before work commitments typically arise.
• Daily Tasks: Write down the specific type of workout for each day.

Monthly Review

At the end of each month, dedicate time for a comprehensive progress assessment.  This is more in-depth than your weekly reviews.  Ask yourself:

• Did I achieve the monthly target I set at the beginning? If not, why?
• What major milestones did I reach this month?
• What challenges did I overcome, and what lessons did I learn?
• Are my quarterly goals still realistic, or do timelines need adjustment?
• Overall, how satisfied am I with the progress made this month?

Celebrate & Strategize

• Acknowledge your achievements!  Even if you didn’t reach every target, celebrating victories is crucial for motivation.
• Use your review to plan the coming month. Consider:
  • What strategies worked well and should be continued?
  • What obstacles consistently arise? Brainstorm solutions or support needed.
  • Do your overall SMART goals need any revision based on this month’s experience?

Return briefly to your quarterly SMART goals, ensuring your monthly actions remain aligned with those bigger objectives.

Quarterly Reflection & Renewal

At the end of each quarter, it’s time to revisit your larger vision and celebrate your hard work! This deeper reflection guides your next stage of goal-setting.

• Assess Your Journey:  Review your original 5-year and 1-year goals from the Strategizing phase.
  • How far have you come?
  • What milestones have you achieved?
  • Do any of your long-term goals need revision based on your progress and insights?
• Celebrate Your Growth:  Acknowledge the dedication you’ve shown this quarter.  Celebrate every accomplishment, big and small!
• Set New Goals:  Informed by your review, set new quarterly SMART goals  aligned with your long-term vision.  This ensures each quarter brings you closer to your ultimate aspirations.

The Cycle of Inner Growth

Remember, personal growth is an ongoing process. As you progress, your knowledge of yourself deepens and your priorities might shift.  By consistently following the Inner Growth Journey cycle, you remain adaptable, resilient, and in alignment with what you want to prioritize in life.

Each year provides an opportunity to revisit your path.

Return to the Assessing phase,  reflecting on your current realities and values.

Keep aspiring to be better.

Celebrate how far you’ve come, and use this newfound perspective to refine your goals and strategies for the year ahead.

Your Journey Continues

The Inner Growth Journey has provided you with tools for self-discovery, strategic planning, focused action, and ongoing reflection. You now have a framework to transform goals into achievements, and aspirations into reality.  

Embrace the journey, knowing that each step you take leads to a life authentically aligned with your values and purpose.