Growth Days: Monthly Check-Ins for Lasting Change
Ever since completing my first Think Week last year, I've been pondering how to incorporate that intense, transformative practice into my day-to-day life. After experimenting with different ideas, I eventually landed on something I now call Growth Days.
If you haven't read my article on Think Weeks yet, I highly recommend starting there to get a deeper understanding of the concept—it sets the foundation for what Growth Days are all about.
What is a Growth Day?
In short, a Growth Day is a day focused entirely on your personal development. It includes the same kinds of reflection and planning exercises you'd do during a Think Week but condensed into a single, highly focused day. Think of it as the smaller, more practical sibling of a Think Week.
Unlike Think Weeks, Growth Days don't require extensive preparation or travel. There's no need to book an Airbnb, pack your bags, or leave the comfort of your home office. This simplicity drastically reduces the logistical and financial overhead, making personal growth more accessible.
The goal is straightforward:
- Reflect on the past month—your decisions, focus areas, and progress
- Adjust or set new goals for the month ahead
- Plan how to achieve them
Once the core work is done, I dedicate the rest of the day to diving deep into a single topic that excites me. This might involve reading books or articles, watching videos, or listening to a podcast. It's a chance to explore my current interests and learn something new.
Growth Day vs. Think Week
Does this mean Think Weeks are obsolete? Absolutely not.
During a Think Week, I immerse myself in exploring new topics, meditating, and embracing the present moment. The experience itself is incredibly valuable—it's not just about what you accomplish. Growth Days, on the other hand, are more pragmatic. They're short, focused, and purpose-driven.
For me, Growth Days are the perfect complement to Think Weeks. They help bridge the months in between my biannual retreats, keeping me aligned with my mission. While Think Weeks provide deep focus and transformational insights, Growth Days ensure I stay on track with my goals regularly.
I aim to do two Think Weeks per year and a Growth Day every month. This rhythm helps me prioritise effectively and maintain consistent progress.
Preparing for a Successful Growth Day
In order to get the best results out, I'd recommend to have some things already in place such as clear goals and a rough mission on where you want to get.
If you're new to this kind of self-reflection, start small. I recommend trying the Wheel of Life exercise to gain a clearer picture of where you are and where you want to go. It's quick, insightful, and one of my favourite tools for tracking progress and identifying areas for improvement.
I'll be publishing an article soon that explains the Wheel of Life in more detail, but in the meantime, there are plenty of excellent resources available online.
Practical Tips for Your Growth Day
I'm still experimenting with the perfect setup myself, but I've done a couple of growth days by now and want to share my lessons learned in three practical tips:
- Eliminate distractions:
Deep focus is harder to achieve at home than in a remote cabin, so it's important to prepare your environment. Clear your desk, tidy your space, and make sure no one interrupts you during the day. Avoid scheduling any other tasks or chores that might pull you away. - Focus on one topic:
Unlike Think Weeks, where you can explore multiple interests freely, Growth Days thrive on specificity. Pick one topic or project to dive into deeply. For example, during my last Growth Day, I spent two hours learning how to grow mushrooms at home—a fascinating and practical subject! - Don't mistake it for focus time:
The primary purpose of a Growth Day is to reflect and realign your goals with your mission and values. It's not about executing tasks or cranking through your to-do list. While focused work is valuable, save that for another day. Growth Days are for strategy, not productivity.
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Conclusion
Growth Days are the ideal companion to biannual Think Weeks. They provide regular opportunities to reflect, realign, and plan, helping you stay on track with your mission and goals.
I'd encourage everyone to try a Growth Day at least once. It's a simple, accessible way to prioritise personal development—and who knows, it might just become a favourite part of your routine.