Life Style Management and Personal Improvement

Evaluation of Personal Improvement Projects

What worked?

Students who had completed personal improvement projects as part of a course were asked to describe one aspect of the improvement project they liked. Following are their responses:

The fact that it focused more on system/environment changes as a means of bringing about success versus focusing on the user and/or their lack of motivation. While I didn't acheive the level of results I was hoping for, because I had looked at this from a systems perspective and initialted a number of changes the net effect still brought about some positive results. Left on 6/16/2008 11:05:34 AM.
Rating the criteria of change Left on 5/15/2008 1:56:00 PM.
changing the environment to get greater results of improvement. Left on 5/7/2008 8:42:52 PM.
The reflection - determining what things were causing my weight and diet troubles Left on 5/7/2008 8:59:14 AM.
changing the environment to bring about change. Left on 5/6/2008 5:16:12 PM.
Storyboarding Left on 5/5/2008 7:56:41 PM.
I liked being able to track my progress over the course of the semester. Left on 5/5/2008 7:18:20 PM.
The structured method used in the book, the tables and figures were helpful to keep track of what i did and didn't do Left on 5/4/2008 3:48:01 PM.
I liked the way that the project proved to me that it’s not always what you think the problem is initially, is shows you that if you change your system it could assist with the personal change. So often people reach for the personal change and disregard the systematic change. This personal improvement project shows individuals that if you change the system the personal change is much easier to ascertain. Left on 5/2/2008 9:07:48 PM.
The exercise I did to understand my environment was helpful and important. This was something that I wouldn't have thought to do for myself. Left on 5/2/2008 5:17:39 PM.
The exercise I did to understand my environment was helpful and important. This was something that I wouldn't have thought to do for myself. Left on 5/2/2008 5:17:19 PM.
The exercise I did to understand my environment was helpful and important. This was something that I wouldn't have thought to do for myself. Left on 5/2/2008 5:15:15 PM.
focused on changing the environment rather than on personal motivation. Left on 5/2/2008 6:06:29 AM.
I gain self confidence when I reach my goal Left on 5/2/2008 3:14:18 AM.
system change,storey boarding Left on 5/2/2008 2:25:38 AM.
having someone assist you. I couldn't have done it witout my husband's help. Left on 5/1/2008 7:48:41 PM.
Focusing on my "system" of life processes and determining possible solutions for change Left on 5/1/2008 7:21:02 PM.
Environment change so you don't have to rely on motivation alone Left on 4/30/2008 4:06:33 PM.
The role of process owners in improvement projects. Left on 12/16/2007 12:19:23 PM.
Control chart help visually represent change or lack thereof. Left on 12/12/2007 9:25:54 AM.
thinking through the improvement process Left on 12/11/2007 10:37:11 PM.
Keeping a Diary Left on 12/11/2007 8:27:49 PM.
Environmental alteration Left on 12/10/2007 4:50:22 PM.
I liked how altering the environment instead of increasing motivation because you learn to do things by habit. Left on 12/9/2007 9:21:49 PM.
In this survey,what do you mean years of education? Education in lifetime including highschool, undergratuate or graduate? Left on 12/9/2007 8:11:00 PM.
drawing a process chart helped me to see in detail my daily routine. This process chart showed me what things I could change or move around in my schedule to fit in my physical training. Left on 12/9/2007 7:33:50 PM.
Learning the difference between environmental and personal effort in regards to change Left on 12/9/2007 6:10:56 PM.
Consistency of the project. Left on 12/4/2007 7:06:10 PM.
It brought the elements of process to improvement into a project that we could be very invested in. I got a class and excercise/weight mgmt plan for the price of a normal class. Pretty cool. Left on 12/4/2007 5:23:24 PM.
I enjoyed the brainstorming and rating of ideas/solutions. I found the scoring exercise to be very interesting and helpful Left on 11/28/2007 11:09:48 AM.
the story board was fun, including other people to help in changing your environment. Left on 4/21/2007 10:27:36 AM.
Identifying causes that create the problem at hand and then suggesting solutions to "correct" those items. Left on 12/9/2006 2:31:14 PM.
Keeping track on a daily basis of my behavior (smoking or not smoking), as well as involving a partner. Left on 12/7/2006 11:20:02 PM.
I believe it was a great idea to change the environment because it somewhat forces change. Left on 12/3/2006 1:13:40 PM.
I liked how I could see my improvement through the story board specially through the control chart Left on 8/23/2006 8:43:02 AM.
Looking at the environment and not blaming me for failure. Left on 8/6/2006 10:50:42 PM.
The actual data collection--by having to record information daily--it reminded me daily of my personal improvement project Left on 4/26/2006 5:27:08 PM.
I liked the pre and post intervention period. This helped me to determine whether I made a real change or not. Left on 12/13/2005 11:21:30 AM.
I found my pedometer Left on 12/11/2005 10:37:49 AM.
1. Staying Focused 2. Understanding that failure is inevitable. 3. Continue measurement of improvement. Left on 12/7/2005 4:23:38 PM.
changing environment by making visible my exercise equipment that reminds me to work out Left on 12/5/2005 9:25:53 PM.
It allowed me to work with the methods being learned in class and make immediate use of them. Left on 12/4/2005 12:48:12 PM.
Listing out options and then selecting those that could contribute to success. Left on 11/26/2005 7:20:35 PM.
Making an environmental change to effect something seemingly unrelated Left on 8/14/2005 5:18:47 PM.
I like the idea of using the fishbone diagram and flow chart to help brainstorm the most effective way to go about making the improvement Left on 8/13/2005 1:15:23 PM.
In charting my days of exercise, I made sure I exercised so that my chart would look good! Left on 8/11/2005 11:49:07 PM.
did not rely on wavering motivation Left on 7/31/2005 2:02:49 PM.
I enjoyed doing the storyboard Left on 5/17/2005 10:30:47 PM.
I got to choose what I wanted to improve and how I was going to change Left on 5/17/2005 11:35:02 AM.
Understanding the role environmental changes make in the personal improvement process. Left on 5/16/2005 7:25:43 PM.
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What needs improvement?

Students who had completed personal improvement projects as part of a course were asked to describe one aspect of the project that needs further improvement. Following are their responses:

Probably from an overall project perspective a short slide presentation to narration to video posting assignment early on in the course or even as a class exercise might have been helpful to those who were more technilogically challenged. Left on6/16/2008 11:05:34 AM.
cant think of any Left on5/15/2008 1:56:00 PM.
nothing Left on5/7/2008 8:59:14 AM.
keeping accurate data. Left on5/6/2008 5:16:12 PM.
feedback Left on5/5/2008 7:56:41 PM.
I think that allowing a more fair approach to motivation in this project. It was very one-sided in showing that the environment is the most important, though my truest belief is that motivation is a primary factor when considering exercise and diet. Left on5/5/2008 7:18:20 PM.
flow chart can be explained more Left on5/4/2008 3:48:01 PM.
Be more specific as to what charts and graphs should be included in the personal project. The example that is provided is not clear about what graphs should be included. Left on5/2/2008 9:07:48 PM.
I was satisfied with this project. Left on5/2/2008 5:17:39 PM.
I was satisfied with this project. Left on5/2/2008 5:17:19 PM.
I was satisfied with this project. Left on5/2/2008 5:15:15 PM.
Dr.Alemi is an excellent professor .He facilitate this course well Left on5/2/2008 3:14:18 AM.
environment Left on5/2/2008 2:25:38 AM.
n/a Left on5/1/2008 7:48:41 PM.
Bi-weekly updates and submission of personal storyboard to keep on tract Left on4/30/2008 4:06:33 PM.
Probably a little more clarification on the scoring of possible changes. Left on12/16/2007 12:19:23 PM.
The supplemental book for the project was just diet and exercise. A lot was not applicable to my project and sometimes made it difficult to use. Left on12/12/2007 9:25:54 AM.
I would harp on it more. Unless you keep a diary, you really have no clue what you are eating or how much you are exercising Left on12/11/2007 8:27:49 PM.
n/a Left on12/9/2007 9:21:49 PM.
The section in the book on page 22 "Evaluating possible changes" I think should be optional to put into the PPT slide. Left on12/9/2007 7:33:50 PM.
This was taught very well Left on12/9/2007 6:10:56 PM.
Cant think of any but i am sure there are several. Left on12/4/2007 7:06:10 PM.
Having good examples would be helpful, for benchmarking. Left on12/4/2007 5:23:24 PM.
the project seemed to be "thrown out" there without too much clear instruction and/or expectation at the start. It was only after beginning to actually "do" the project that things began to make more sense. Left on11/28/2007 11:09:48 AM.
More control over the ways to make change in the environment. Left on4/21/2007 10:27:36 AM.
Asking people to look at various short-term environmental factors that may have slowed their progress towards their goal. Left on12/9/2006 2:31:14 PM.
Perhaps make it optional. There is alot of work and reading in this course. Left on12/7/2006 11:20:02 PM.
Nothing in particular Left on12/3/2006 1:13:40 PM.
I cannot think of any improvements to the project. It is pretty good as it is. Left on8/23/2006 8:43:02 AM.
I thought this section of the course was done very well. Left on8/6/2006 10:50:42 PM.
The overall expected end-of-project report to be turned into professor was confusing. By creating an itemized list of what is expected for turning in would decrease any confusion. Left on4/26/2006 5:27:08 PM.
Nothing. I think that the project and process was very well developed. Left on12/13/2005 11:21:30 AM.
This type of project was too intrusive to be a required part of the course. The alternative was definitly minimized as an option, but one I wish I had taken. In my opinion, this project was a distraction from the course content. Left on12/11/2005 10:37:49 AM.
How to overcome failure in the initial stage of the project. Left on12/7/2005 4:23:38 PM.
celebrating success whenever there is an improvement Left on12/5/2005 9:25:53 PM.
The in class time is critical to success in the class and lectures can be more clearly written to walk through processes. The overall experience was positive. Left on12/4/2005 12:48:12 PM.
Report on progress at different stages or even weekly Left on11/26/2005 7:20:35 PM.
???? How do I keep motivation out of the mix??? Left on8/14/2005 5:18:47 PM.
It would be really helpful if the book was available in print. And a general overview of what to expect during the project would have been helpful. Definitely more feedback during the process would have been helpful. I never knew if I was doing the right thing or if there were things I could improve on. Left on8/13/2005 1:15:23 PM.
It might be interesting for the students to post their storyboards so they can motivate each other. Left on8/11/2005 11:49:07 PM.
more clarity of the course requirements related to this project Left on7/31/2005 2:02:49 PM.
add more DIFFERENT examples to the course literature helping us to come up with our own ideas Left on5/17/2005 11:35:02 AM.
none Left on5/16/2005 7:25:43 PM.
The tools or the methods of measuring the improvement should be more flexible according to what the person comfortable with, that’s will help him or her to work more in his personal improvement with out limiting hem or her to certain method. Left on5/16/2005 5:53:05 PM.
The focus in changing the environment more than person hem self and work with some support you as mine I lose weight and improve my health status and the time of my exercise help me to much for relive stress. Left on5/14/2005 1:53:09 AM.
I need to ensure that the factors that helped improved my goals are sustained. Left on5/12/2005 7:39:18 AM.
My commitment and discipline to working harder on every run Left on12/27/2004 11:24:54 PM.
option to share progress with other students Left on12/27/2004 7:17:42 AM.
RELYING LESS ON MOTIVATION Left on12/16/2004 7:27:22 AM.
Assistance with thinking through other kinds of self-improvement besides weight loss and exercise. All of the examples and charts are based on that one problem. Left on12/14/2004 4:36:31 PM.
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This page is part of the course on quality, lecture on personal improvement. For more information contact Farrokh Alemi, Ph.D. Copyright © 1996. Created on Friday, September 20, 1996. Most recent revision 08/28/2007.