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I’m guessing you’re busy.
As in, sometimes you feel like you don’t even have time to breathe. Working late, taking the kids here and there, dealing with the endless stream of issues that pop up every day.
Sometimes we get so busy just trying to get it all done. Checking off all the boxes. Crossing things off the to-do list.
Getting stuff done is great – I’m a big believer in achievement and taking action. But what good is checking off all those boxes if you’re the in the same place at the end of the week? What good is achievement to you as a woman if it isn’t a transformative experience?
Unless you take deliberate steps to learn and grow as a person, you’re stuck at point A in terms of personal development.
Sneak personal growth into your week
When was the last time you did something to spur your personal growth? Look, I get it. You don’t have time for another online course, another email challenge, another networking meeting in your already-packed schedule.
Frankly, neither do I.
But personal growth doesn’t have to mean spending lots of time or money on formal training. I like to look at personal growth on a week-to-week basis. This allows me to track my progress over a relatively short chunk of time, while propelling me forward through the weekly muck with happy vibes. By focusing on positive, growth-centered actions, you can greatly improve the quality of your week, while developing as an individual.
How, exactly, does all this happy magic go down? There are some quick and easy things you can do on a weekly basis to create forward momentum and kick-start your personal growth. As a result, you’ll end even your busiest weeks with a sense of positivity and personal satisfaction.
Set and work toward an achievable goal
Nothing propels me forward like a win. Even if it’s a little win, like fixing the sink drain or choosing a healthy meal for dinner. Wins make us feel capable, competent, and increase our self-worth. Especially when that win is tied to a goal we previously set. So why not give yourself a weekly win?
Set yourself up for success by choosing an achievable goal each week. The key word here is achievable.
It can be something big or small, but keep it realistic. It could be:
- Completing a big project at work
- Keeping the kitchen sink and counter clear of dirty dishes
- Exercising as a family
Whatever you choose, track your progress toward achieving the goal throughout the week.
Do more of something
This one is simple, but so impactful. What do you wish you could do more often? Read? Meet new people? Spend time with your spouse? Choose something of high quality that you want more of in your life.
Schedule what you want more of into your planner for the upcoming week. Doing so affirms your commitment to making positive changes and moving forward.
Do less of something
Conversely, choose something you’d like to do less of. Browsing social media, eating unhealthy foods, and getting angry over little things are all great examples.
To remind yourself of what you intend to do less of, put a note on your phone, desk, fridge, or wherever you’ll see it. You can even incorporate your “more of” action. Your note could read, “less social media, more time with (spouse’s name).” Hold yourself accountable to actually following through on your more of/less of actions.
Setting aside time for something you want more of, and resolving to do less of something else, are easy ways to start making positive changes in your life.
Do something kind for yourself
Hectic days and weeks often lead to self-neglect. You’re so busy trying to do things for others, you forget to care for yourself.
Resolve to do something kind for yourself during the week. It doesn’t have to be daily (Though it can be!). You could choose:
- Giving yourself 30 minutes alone each day
- Scheduling a massage
- Taking time to watch your favorite movie
By carving out a little time for yourself during your week, you’ll feel happier and less stressed.
Do something kind for someone else
Our most stressful weeks often leave us feeling defeated and disconnected from the world. Showing kindness to someone else gives you something to feel good about, and allows you to make someone else’s life little better. In short, helping others is food for the soul.
You could:
- Pull a few items from your pantry to drop by a food bank
- Strike up a friendly conversation with that shy neighbor or coworker
- Perform a random act of kindness each day
Kind acts are often quick and easy, but provide great benefit to both you and the other person. They are a great way to increase empathy and take the focus off of any stressful events in your week.
Get some exercise
Commit to exercising in some form each day during your week. I know what you’re saying – “Where will I find the time?”
You don’t have to spend hours at the gym or go to yoga class day in and day out. Though if you want to, that’s fantastic! The key is to be realistic about what you have the time and ability to do.
If you’re pressed for time, squeeze in a little physical activity where you can:
- Get up and take a stroll during your lunch break
- Walk up and down the stairs in your house 10 times while dinner’s cooking (Don’t laugh, I actually do that)
- Play tag outside with your kids
Getting up and moving relieves stress and releases mood-lifting endorphins, according to WebMD. Also, exercise gets easier the more often you do it. So schedule some form of exercise several times during your week, and let that positive momentum build up each day. You’ll feel better, be more physically fit, and experience that little endorphin rush.
Engage with your friends and loved ones
When things get crazy busy, the next things to suffer after self-care are usually relationships. To counteract that, make your friends and loved ones a priority by nurturing your relationships throughout the week.
Take some time at the beginning of each week to schedule meaningful interactions with loved ones. Also, keep an eye out for opportunities that may arise during the week to let your friends and family know you’re thinking of them. Here are some suggestions:
- Call a friend you haven’t chatted with in a while, and catching up with her while you do laundry
- Schedule some crafting time with your mom
- Maybe it’s time for that long-overdue date night with your spouse
If you’ve got a packed schedule, remember that nurturing relationships doesn’t have to be time-consuming. It’s something you can do daily. Some quick and easy ways to engage with loved ones:
- Take a picture of something that reminds you of a friend and text it to her
- Send an encouraging email to a coworker
- Call a parent or sibling and ask how they’re doing
These little interactions lead to stronger relationships. Stronger relationships provide a solid support system, which is essential to personal growth. The more amazing people you have helping you and cheering you on, the further you’ll go.
Take action
We’ve looked at how you can sneak personal growth into your week. I talked a lot about scheduling some intentional actions. But remember that the path to growing and evolving lies in taking action. Not just thinking about actions or writing them down.
Do your very best each day to take action on the intentions you scheduled. Depending on what you choose, many only take a few minutes. Taking these actions day after day builds momentum, spurs positive growth, and creates a framework for a better week.
Look back on it all, learn, and grow
At week’s end, take a few moments to reflect on the actions you took toward your personal growth. Ask yourself:
- How your actions changed your week
- How they made you feel
- Why and how you achieved your goal (Or didn’t achieve it), and how it felt
- What you learned from the actions you took
- What you’ll do differently going forward
Reflection is a vital element of personal growth. It gives us insights into how and why we do things, what our strengths and weaknesses are, and how we can better adapt to whatever life throws at us.
Recap
Today we looked at some ways to fit personal growth into your week. These include:
- Setting and working toward an achievable goal
- Doing more of something you want in your life
- Doing less of something you don’t want in your life
- Showing kindness toward yourself
- Showing kindness toward someone else
- Getting some exercise
- Nurturing relationships with the people who matter most
Personal growth is possible, even if you don’t have tons of time. Small, intentional daily actions build upon one another. They create positive momentum in your week, and each one is a drop in the bucket of growing and evolving into your best self.
Give this a try for a week, and see what happens. Come back and let me know how it worked out in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear how positive, growth-oriented actions impact your week and your life!