How to Measure Your Self-Development Progress 

If you’re into self-development, you probably know by now that the process of developing the self takes some establishing itself. No one ever stumbled upon GR8NESS by deciding one minute and executing in the next five. In a modern world of instant gratification, it can be challenging to be patient with the things we want to accomplish, especially when we always want to be in charge.

Set Your Four D’s

How does one take charge of taking charge? Put a value on the effort you exert and use the data to guide your next move. Use these four D’s to measure your self-development progress.

#1 – Decide

Turn your dreams into a decision, quantify your efforts, and map them out.

• Personal goals: Set goals that span within your own life and livelihood. These can be absolutely anything under the sun that you’re aiming to accomplish.
• Professional goals: It can be easy to become complacent in the workplace, avoid this by coming up with some solid goals that you can use every day at work to catapult you into new directions.

#2 – Deadlines

Determine and stick to deadlines and dates that not only make sense but motivate you. Setting deadlines is a fantastic way to hold yourself accountable. If you’re given a lifetime to do something, you might take a lifetime. If you’re given ten days, you’ll make it work. Use this logic to push yourself forward.

• Start dates/end dates: Take note of when projects should begin and end.
• Periodic check-ins: Start and end dates have their way of fading into the background, keep consistent accountability with check-ins.

#3 – Data

Data is the fiber to your development. Without collecting and understanding the data, everything is up to chance. If you’re responsible and accurate with reporting data and note it carefully, the possibilities are endless. Growth is possible without it, but measuring growth isn’t.

• Track data meticulously: A minor discrepancy here and there may not feel like a big deal initially, but remember that they add up!
• Be honest about the facts: If you’re serious about growth and change, comparing reality is the only way.

#4 – Direct

The data is the data. It’s what you do with it that matters. The direction in which you aim your efforts is just as important as the effort itself.

• Assess and compare data: Adequately assess data to obtain proper findings.
• Devise the next plan of action: After compiling data, choose the direction you wish to proceed in carefully. Be realistic, but don’t be afraid to set the bar high!

A Note from GR8NESS

Whether you’re looking to develop better skills as an employee or trying to learn the piano, any step toward self-development is pure GR8NESS. Remember to be kind and patient with yourself. Pat yourself on the back for how far you’ve already come.