Setting goals is a crucial part of every wellness journey. Not only does it guide the process that sets us on our path, but goals ground us with everything from direction and motivation to a clear sense of purpose. With goals, our wellness efforts have structure, and we can see where we are going, track progress, and celebrate the small wins along the way. Through our goals, we have a framework for transforming intentions into actions and space for hopes and dreams to become the reality we envision.

While goals may be essential to building wellness, starting a wellness journey without clear goals is actually quite common. In fact, many people dive into making changes in exercise, eating habits, sleep, or reducing stress without ever defining what they want, what they can manage, or what they hope to achieve. The result is missing, or inefficient goals, and a process often filled with frustration and disappointment; some give up on their wellness journey altogether without clarity, direction, or a belief in the opportunity for success.

This is where the GROW model can come in.

A different approach to goal setting, the GROW model provides a clear, structured framework that simplifies the process of setting and achieving goals. Created to help people set goals better aligned with who they are and how they live, the model offers a way for us to understand the steps and thought processes needed for more sustainable success. With an emphasis on self-reflection and planning, goals are created to be adaptable and more personally aligned; intentions are turned into actionable steps that encourage deeper engagement for long-lasting change.

Let’s walk through how to use the GROW model to expand wellness in our lives…

Setting the Goal

• The GROW model's first step is to state what we want or wish to achieve. It should be more than a vague idea as we want to determine where we will be most likely to make a change. This focused approach allows us to concentrate our energy on what truly matters rather than haphazardly making goals; we are working to build confidence that the changes we pursue are aligned with our values and needs and meet us where we are at, regardless of where that may be.

  Questions to consider include:

  • What do I want or hope to achieve on my wellness journey?

  • Why is this goal important to me?

  • How will I know I have achieved the goal? What will be different?

• Understanding Reality

  Once a goal is established, the second step is to assess our current situation or reality. This requires honest reflection on where we stand relative to the goal and identifying the gap between where we are and where we want to be. In understanding and exploring reality, we not only gain better clarity of our current life but also allow space for the creation of a realistic plan for both who we are and who we hope to be.

  Questions to consider include:

  • What is my current routine? How does daily life look?

  • What challenges am I facing?

  • What resources (time, energy, support) do I have?

• Exploring Options, Obstacles, and Opportunities

  Once grounded, we can then turn toward brainstorming options, obstacles, and opportunities for moving forward. Rather than giving in to feeling stuck by our circumstances, in the GROW model, this is exactly where creativity and flexibility come into play. By exploring multiple options and imagining ways to overcome obstacles, we can open possibilities we may have never considered before.

  Questions to consider include:

  • What are all the possible ways to move forward?

  • What are obstacles that can be overcome? How can I imagine overcoming them?

  • What have I seen work for others in similar situations?

• Making the Will (or Way Forward) Strong

  With goals rooted in reality and an exploration of options complete, it is now time to commit to a plan. This is the action phase, where a decision is made on which option or combination of options to pursue, and actionable steps and deadlines are included as they ensure that we stay on track. Our full exploration of importance and alignment with who we are helps us most significantly in this stage – it allows us to be positioned with motivation and commitment to make the way forward strong.

  Questions to consider include:

  • What steps will I take this week?

  • What support do I need to stay on track?

  • How will I hold myself accountable?

As a different approach to traditional goal setting, the GROW model offers a structure for pursuing wellness goals in a manageable and sustainable way. With a focus on personal alignment, we have space to set realistic and meaningful goals that increase our likelihood of long-term success. The model’s emphasis on reflection and planning ensures that we stay grounded in both our current reality and committed to the path forward. With GROW, large aspirations are transformed into the steps that keep us motivated and clear on achieving the wellness we ultimately envision.

How can you use GROW to set the next goal on your wellness journey?