We return to the Life Re=Alignment Series and to steps 2 Te Whakatūria tō Mana – Establishing your Authority and Te Whakawhanake i tō Kaha – Developing Your Strength.
Turning our goals and plans into reality takes more than just good intentions. Many wellness seekers find themselves motivated at the start but struggle to maintain momentum.
The key to lasting success lies in tracking progress consistently (Te Whakawhanake i tō Kaha) and aligning daily actions (Te Whakatūria tō Mana) with broader life objectives. This approach not only keeps you accountable but also ensures your efforts contribute to meaningful life alignment.
This post explores practical strategies to track your goals daily, monthly, and quarterly. You will learn how to break down your ambitions into manageable steps, monitor your progress effectively, and adjust your plans to stay on course. Whether you want to improve your health, build new habits, or enhance your overall well-being, these methods will help you transform your goals into reality.
Daily Rituals (Te Whakatūria tō Mana) – daily tracking builds consistency
Daily tracking is the foundation of success. It keeps your goals fresh in your mind and helps you develop habits that support your vision.
How to Track Daily
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Use a journal, digital app or Te Whakatūria tō Mana to record your actions and feelings.
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Note what you accomplished, what challenges you faced, and how you felt.
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Rate your progress on a simple scale (e.g., 1 to 5) to quantify your effort.
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Reflect briefly on how your actions align with your life alignment goals. 3-Rs, Reflect, Release, Restore.
Benefits of Daily Tracking
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Increases awareness. You become more conscious of your choices and patterns.
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Boosts motivation. Seeing small wins daily encourages you to keep going.
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Allows quick adjustments. If something isn’t working, you can change it immediately.
For example, if your goal is to meditate daily, tracking helps you notice if you skip days and why. You might realize mornings are too rushed and decide to meditate before bed instead.
Preparation for your work week
I have found for me that this works better to do on Sunday. It enables me to plan my week and feel prepared when Monday comes. I review my weekly schedule and mark important meetings or targets in my diary and Maramataka.
During the week I track my success over each day then the 3-Rs at night. There are times when I cannot do the nightly review, however I try to make time the next morning to complete that activity. Practice not Perfection.
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Review meeting schedule (Hinengaro)
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Capture important deadlines projects (Hinengaro)
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Note important activities for the family (Whakapapa)
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Schedule Me-time (Tuakiri, Tinana, Wairua)
Whakapapa – Relationships and Connection
Our overarching goal – “Strengthen whānau bonds through regular meaningful contact, shared meals, and honouring family stories and traditions.”
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The Actions/Plan we set:
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Small actions: I will make one connection each day with a family member or friend I haven’t talked to in a while.
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Big actions: I will share at least one meal every day with my family, with phones away to create space for real connection.
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Identify milestones. Reaching out to distant friends and relatives at least 3 times a week. Having dinner with my family no phones at least 4 times a week.
Tinana – Health, Nutrition, Weight, Exercise, and Food Timing
Our overarching goal – “Establish consistent daily movement (30+ minutes) that energises you.”
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Actions / Plan we set:
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Small actions: I will track how often I take the stairs versus the lift or get up from my desk to take movement.
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Big actions: I will block out my lunch break so I can focus on my wellness (eating mindfully) and take a 10-minute walk, building up to 30 minutes a day.
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Identify Milestones: Taking the stairs without running out of breadth at least 3 times a week. Taking regular breaks from my desk at least 1 per hour. Use 25/5 or 50/10 work rule. Uninterrupted lunch break at least 3 times a week, 10-minute walk during lunch break at least 3 times a week.
Tuakiri – Identity, Self-Concept, Where You Fit In or Strive to Become, Mana
Our overarching goal: “Define purpose beyond roles and titles.”
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Actions / Plan we set:
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Small actions: I will observe daily what things anger or move me deeply, both good and bad.
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Big actions: I will brainstorm what I want to be remembered for or the change I want to create in the world, using sentences that start with “My purpose is to…”.
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Identify Milestones: I realised when I don’t review and prepare on Sunday that I become anxious on Mondays then can’t flex my schedule if a new priority comes along. Planning helps me stay in control. My purpose is to take the right time out to plan so that I can meet the objectives I have set for myself. Without this I become overwhelmed.
Wairua – Inner Spirituality
Our overarching goal: “Develop consistent spiritual practice that feeds your soul.”
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Actions / Plan we set:
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Small actions: I will observe karakia before meals.
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Big actions: I will identify when I feel most connected to something greater than myself, what practices leave me feeling restored or aligned, and continue to grow my inner spirituality.
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Identify Milestones: I find I can say karakia before every meal even though I am saying it in my head before I eat. Planning helps me feel aligned…when I am aligned…the days are aways better.
Hinengaro – Work, Family Activities, Emotions, Intentions, Money, and Material Assets
Our overarching goal: “Cultivate positive self-talk and challenge inner critics that diminish your worth or capabilities.”
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Actions / Plan we set:
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Small actions: I will recite my takutaku every morning to lift and renew my spirit and inner strength.
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Big actions: I will observe when I am negatively triggered by events or happenings, “what about this situation triggers me?”, “Is this event within my control?”. “Do I need to sit in this discomfort to understand further, or can I let it go without it leaving a hook?”
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Identify Milestones: I can only recite my takutaku when I am not in a rush…those are on mornings when I am at working from home. That is 4 days a week. Feeling guilty that I couldn’t recite takutaku every day….realised that setting 4 days a week goal/action I achieved that and felt more connected. Quality not Quantity.
Reviewing Progress
Monthly Reviews: Measuring Progress and Adjusting Plans
Monthly tracking offers a broader view of your journey. It helps you measure progress toward milestones and adjust your action plans.
What to Include in Monthly Reviews
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Summarize your daily tracking notes.
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Compare your achievements against your milestones.
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Identify patterns or obstacles that slowed you down.
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Celebrate successes, no matter how small.
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Adjust your goals or daily tasks if needed to improve alignment.
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Alter the activity if achievement has proven to be too difficult or other priorities have ‘derailed’ achievement. (I have covered derailment in a previous blog). Use Me Heke ki Mua to bring back controlled flow. Remember A-Achievable and R-Realistic in goal setting (Te Whakatakato tō Mana). Pull things back a little to re-establish a comfortable rhythm. Practice not Perfection.
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Accept when the activity meets the goals you set, and you are comfortable a consistent rhythm is in place (Tū Pūmau). This is success and means Productivity (Whai Hua) has brought Stability (Tū Maia). This leaves you open to tackle the next challenge.
Example of a Monthly Review
Suppose your goal is to improve sleep quality. After a month of daily tracking, you notice you sleep better on days you avoid screens before bed. Your monthly review might lead you to set a new daily task: no screens after 9 p.m.
Monthly reviews reinforce life alignment by ensuring your goals remain relevant and connected to your overall well-being.
Important note: the monthly review time slot is a minimum however if you feel that it fits your flow to review your actions and successes at a higher frequency then that is perfect for you.
A caution – if you decide to review your progress weekly or fortnightly, for some people this can create anxiety. If this is you, then drop the frequency back to monthly. The purpose of these practices is to encourage long-term change through consistency and productivity. If you find you are always anxious to the point of wanting to avoid the review process, then use the “Alter” practice above as it could be that the actions/plan is not realistic or achievable. ‘Alter’ then keep going.
Quarterly Assessments: Reflecting on the Big Picture
Quarterly assessments provide a chance to reflect deeply on your progress and life alignment. This is when you evaluate whether your goals still serve your long-term vision.
Steps for Quarterly Assessment
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Review your monthly summaries and daily logs.
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Reflect on how your goals have influenced your life alignment.
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Ask yourself if your goals still feel meaningful and motivating.
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Set new goals or refine existing ones based on your reflections.
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Plan the next quarter with clear priorities and strategies.
Why Quarterly Assessments Matter
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They prevent stagnation by encouraging growth and change.
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They help you stay connected to your values and purpose.
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They provide motivation by highlighting how far you’ve come.
For example, after three months of focusing on fitness, you might realize you want to add mindfulness practices to your routine. This insight helps you expand your goals in a way that supports your whole self.
Tools and Techniques for Effective Tracking
Using the right tools can make tracking easier and more enjoyable. Here are some options:
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Journals or planners designed for goal tracking.
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Mobile apps like habit trackers or wellness journals.
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Spreadsheets for those who prefer data and charts.
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Accountability partners who check in regularly.
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Te Whakatakato tō Mahere worksheets creating plans and activities from goals.
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Te Whakatūria Tō Mana worksheet to track daily activities; also incorporates the Maramataka and the Power of Iwa.
Choose tools that fit your lifestyle and preferences. The goal is to create a system that supports your commitment without adding stress.
Staying Motivated Through Life Alignment
Tracking success is not just about numbers or tasks. It’s about connecting your actions to your deeper purpose. When your goals reflect your true values, motivation comes naturally.
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Remind yourself why your goals matter.
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Visualize the life you want to create.
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Celebrate progress in ways that feel meaningful.
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Be kind to yourself during setbacks.
This mindset helps you maintain life alignment and keeps your journey fulfilling.