I was for many years a Forest Service planner.  After retiring from that career, I trained to become a life coach.  I had no idea until the latter was underway how many similarities I would find in the dynamics underlying both professions.

National forest managers begin with the end in mind.  They look at current conditions, describe the desired landscape fifty years out, and identify conditions that call for change. Then they build a ten-year set of projects that point in the intended direction.  Periodic monitoring provides feedback:  Did we take the actions we planned? Did they have the expected results?  Is the vision of a desired future still valid? Monitoring results are used to adapt and move forward, incorporating lessons learned.  The cycle of planning, action, review, and adjustment is applied to all types of forest management, from wildlife habitat improvement to mine reclamation.

Coaches working with clients design a similar cycle of planning and action by setting goals, trying things out, and learning from experience.  In recent weeks, we have assessed our current well-being, developed a vision of the desired future, and generated small steps that lead where we want to go. This week we are exploring the practice of regular monitoring, checking in with ourselves and asking: How's it going? What worked? What didn't? Have my priorities changed?  What next?

Many of us can improve our approach to reviewing personal progress.  For example, we may be inclined to beat up on ourselves, call ourselves names, or pull out the heavy hammers of "need to" and should."  In contrast, the most helpful reviews focus on the positive:  What went well this week?  I celebrate...  I am grateful...   I delight in... I am proud of...

Second, the cycle of review never treats a "growing pain" as evidence of failure.  A friend who often occupies the podium after hundred-mile races was recently unable to finish a major event. In offering perspective, he commented, "The only failure is failure to learn." Likewise, every time we experience a setback in building new health habits, finding our calling, or improving our relationships we have the chance to learn and to take a different approach the next time.

Third, review takes time not only to measure progress in the desired direction, but to take stock of our goals and refine them as needed.  Quite often we set a New Year's resolution or start a new personal-growth project by biting off too much.  We aim for weight loss that fits into the wedding dress.  We expect to make a profit the first year of a new business.  We sign up for the club's 2000-mile running goal.

Sometimes ambitions that sound motivating and realistic to begin with bump up against reality and call for modification.  Sometimes the long-term goal is still do-able but we have chosen too steep a path to the summit.  We can get there, but we are more likely to succeed by taking smaller steps or going at a slower pace.  I often apply the motto, "If at first you don't succeed, re-define success." 

I make a habit of reviewing progress once a week, usually on Friday.  I follow a standard outline taken from my life coach training (see below), and after journaling on my own I send the review to my best friend. She often replies with insightful reflection and always with unconditional love. 

I encourage you to develop a pattern of checking in with yourself on a regular basis.  Focus on the positive.  Celebrate and give thanks. Learn both from those experiments that turned out well and those that did not. Embrace the joy of learning and share it with someone you trust.