How To Measure Personal Development Goals: 15 Helpful Ways
In this new article, you will find out how to measure personal development goals.
It’s normal to want to track your progress as you try to make sure changes in your life. Because everybody’s goals and beliefs are different, it is important to know what you are measuring and why you are doing it.
Analyze the areas of your life that you would like to improve, and then set specific goals to help you achieve them. Check your progress often as you work on your goals to see how you are doing.
How to Measure Personal Development Goals:
1. Make a list of your personal values.
Think about what is most vital to you before trying to measure your progress or even set goals. This will help you determine the areas you want to improve. Write down everything that you feel is important to you as a person.
For example, you might want to include things on your list such as starting a family, doing your dream job, or helping those in need.
Take a look at your list of top principles and make a decision which ones work best for you to help you discover your values.
Write a brief, easy, and unambiguous explanation for each of your top five values and consider what each means to you and why they’re important. Then consider how you can maintain each of these values frequently.
You can even consider the people you admire and choose the qualities that are most vital to you. For example, maybe you admire your mother’s courage and want to emulate it in yourself.
2. List the changes you want to make.
Think about areas in which you would like to see progress once you know what is important to you in life. Take time to consider what you do and what you do not like.
Consider what you are doing to make a difference if one of your core values is helping the environment. Do you recycle? Do you take part in community initiatives focused on protecting the environment? What do you think you can do differently?
Make a list of things you’d like to change or improve as they come to your mind.
3. Determine what is holding you back from making changes.
Once you have identified the areas you’d like to improve and alter, try to determine what’s holding you back. There are situations where unavoidable circumstances make it difficult to accomplish your goals, but there are other cases where you can make changes to facilitate your growth.
For example, maybe you have all the time wanted to improve your painting talent, but were too busy. Check your calendar to see if there are any other responsibilities or activities that you can cancel or put off at a later time.
Sometimes all you need to do is change your perspective. You may not have reached your goal of publishing an e-book because you were not sure you could. “Is it realistic?” you may wonder. Is there a reason why I am unable to write an e-book? “
4. Set some SMART goals for yourself.
It’s time to set some goals once you’ve decided on a few areas of personal improvement you’d like to focus on. Stick to specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound goals to avoid being overwhelmed (SMART). At any given time, focus on 1-2 specific aspects of your life that you would like to improve.
For example, if you want to become a fitness trainer, you could start by setting a SMART goal of signing up to five fitness clubs regularly for new exercise ideas.
Your goals don’t have to be big or lofty. You can also set small, achievable goals, such as walking for 15 minutes every day.
5. Prioritize your goals to help keep you on track.
When it comes to personal development goals, if you try to achieve too many goals at once, you may get overwhelmed. Take time to think about which goals are most important to you so you can focus your time and attention on them.
For example, if your top priority is career development, set goals that will help you do that, such as updating your resume or applying for a job. Once you’ve achieved some of these goals, you can direct your attention to goals in other areas, such as creativity or health.
Think about which goals are most important. Start by improving your financial capabilities if you are having trouble managing your money and it is getting in the way of your other ambitions, such as traveling the world or starting your own business.
6. Break your goal down into manageable chunks.
When you try to tackle SMART goals all at once, it can seem overwhelming and impossible. Analyze each goal you want to achieve and think about how you can break it down into manageable parts.
For example, if you want to run 1 mile (1.6 km) in 10 minutes by the end of the year, you could start with an easy 30-minute jog twice a week to build your endurance. Then, with each run, gradually increase your speed.
If you want to write a book, you can start by setting mini goals to complete the outline. Then set a writing goal for a certain amount of time each day (say, 1 hour).
7. Keep a journal to track your progress.
Tracking your progress is the most effective way to measure your success. Write down every step towards achieving each goal, no matter how small. This will help you visualize your progress as you make it.
Keep “to do” and “done” lists to help you stay on course.
As you work towards your goal, write in your diary about your feelings. Make a list of your hopes, fears and feelings about moving forward. This can help you overcome difficulties and clarify your thinking about your personal development path.
You can track your goals in a journal specifically designed for this purpose. If you do not want to write down on paper, download a journaling app like Day One (1) or Daylio.
8. Use apps to help you stay organized.
Goal setting and monitoring apps can send you reminders and help you track your progress. Look for apps that let you set detailed schedules to meet your goals. Many of these applications can be used not only for time management but also for tracking progress.
Habitify, for example, has a game-like structure with built-in rewards and incentives to keep you on course.
HabitBull (2) and Time Planner are popular applications for setting and tracking goals.
9. Congratulate yourself on your success.
Celebrating your accomplishments can help you identify your progress while motivating you to continue working on your personal development goals. Congratulate yourself on even modest accomplishments, and when you hit a big one, treat yourself to something special.
For example, if you are trying to improve your study habits, you could reward yourself with a funny video after 30 minutes of studying.
If you successfully pass a difficult exam, you can celebrate by going out for dinner with friends.
10. Be prepared for setbacks.
Failures and mistakes are unavoidable when trying to improve in any area of life. Don’t be too hard on yourself if this happens; realizing that it’s a natural and inevitable part of growing up. If you make a mistake, stop and reflect if necessary, then try again.
If you are feeling stressed, look at your overall progress to see how far you have come. Review your health journal to see how far you have come since you started if you are working on fitness goals, for example.
11. Review your list of values and goals regularly.
Take time to review your goals and see if they still align with your beliefs as you work on your personal development. Your requirements and priorities may change over time. If you aren’t pleased with the goals you are currently pursuing, consider changing them.
Reflect on all the important areas in your life and what works for you. Continue to act on what works and consider how you’ll continue to act in the areas you want to improve.
For example, you may have started with the intention of starting a family, but now you are more interested in growing professionally.
Remind yourself that it is okay to change your mind and shift your priorities. If you aren’t pleased with your current path, you can try another way.
12. Assess your progress towards individual goals.
Regularly evaluate your progress on individual goals as you achieve them. Ask yourself if you’re pleased with how far you have come and if you’re where you want or hope to be right now.
Ask yourself why you are dissatisfied with where you are in terms of certain goals. Is there anything you can do to improve your situation? Is there anything you can do to make your goals more precise or realistic?
Don’t just focus on recent successes or failures. As you analyze your progress towards your goal, try to keep the bigger picture in mind.
13. If possible, use metrics to track your progress.
Not all forms of personal development are measurable. However, if you can track your progress, it is an amazing way to see how you are doing. Choose one or two easy-to-understand metrics that will help you visualize your progress over time.
For example, if you want to be more physically active, use a pedometer every day. Create a chart or table showing how your activity level has changed over time by recording the number of steps you take each day.
If you are trying to become more financially stable, track your income and expenses over time to see how far you have come.
14. Make a list of areas where you can still improve.
After you have been working on your personal development for some time, reassess the areas where you still feel the need to change or make progress. Keep in mind that some of these may have changed since you started your personal development journey. If necessary, set new goals or adapt your approach to your current goals.
For example, you may have made significant progress towards financial independence but still feel you are neglecting your health. This may mean it is time to set new goals for taking care of yourself.
15. Consult with friends if possible.
Some types of personal improvement are easier to objectively identify than others. Talk to a trusted friend or loved one if you have trouble recognizing your strengths, weaknesses, and progress. These people may be capable to provide you with information about your progress that you may not be capable to see on your own.
If you can, involve someone you can trust in your personal development journey as soon as possible. Tell them what you hope to accomplish and ask if they can help you by providing support and accountability for you. Offer to help them in kind.
I want to thank you for taking the time to read my article on how to measure personal development goals. I actually hope that its content has been of good help to you.
