This is TheSchoolHouse302’s monthly #reviewandreflect, wrapping up our focus on getting better. 

Major Takeaway for this Month:

If you want to improve any area of your life, you must be clear on what you want to improve and have a solid plan to follow. Don’t over complicate this process; the strategy that Ben Franklin used to develop his virtues was simple. Here’s the formula: 

1. He identified 13 Virtues (areas he wanted to perfect). 
2. He focused on 1 per week for 52 weeks, and he kept a brief method to chart his progress.
3. He followed his plan. 52 divided by 13 = 4. By following this method, Ben would focus on 1 virtue for an entire month by the end of the year.

Let’s first acknowledge that Ben was incredibly gifted. But, let’s not assume that he didn’t work hard. Don’t chalk-up his achievements to natural talent. It is clear that his self-improvement was a lifelong pursuit. 

What we asked of you to do this month was to choose 1 viritue that you want to improve and get after it. We also asked that you keep a journal to define your purpose–your why!

Three Minute Challenges

Throughout the month we offered 3 Minute Challenges. Identifying a goal is critical, but it’s only valuable if it is supported with decisive action. 

How well did you do on the challenges this month?

Choosing One Virtue

I identified one key virtue that I will continually strive to master.

I took an action step to begin working on improving in this identified area.

 Journaling

I identified a specific space for me to journal each morning and night.

I started journaling each day.

Defining Your Why

I dentified the three or four most important things in my life. 

I reflected on my daily activities to determine alignment between my actions and my WHY?

Great Leaders Are Avid Readers

One of the most powerful ways to fuel your thinking is to be a voracious reader. Below are the three must reads that we featured this month.  

                               

What an expert has to say about self-improvement.

We were thrilled to interview Bob Burg this month. Here’s the bottom line: put others first. Too often we associate growth with focusing on ourselves, but explosive growth occurs when we focus on giving ourselves to others. 

That’s our Review and Reflection on self-improvement. 

TheSchoolHouse302 is about getting to simple and maximizing effective research-based strategies that empower individuals to lead better and grow faster.

Please let us know how our leadership posts are working for you, what you are reading to improve yourself, and your thoughts on leadership and growth here on our blog and Twitter. Follow our #onethingseries podcast on iTunes and our #readthisseries on YouTube.