It’s no secret that planning plays a crucial role in achieving almost anything in life. So, it’s no surprise that when it comes to our personal health and wellness, a good plan can go a long way. Unfortunately, many people find that their meticulously laid-out plans often fall apart, leaving them feeling disappointed and lost. Maybe it’s time we look deeper to identify what goes wrong in these instances. One effective approach is by using SWOT analysis.
If you’re not familiar with SWOT analysis, it’s a popular tool traditionally used in business marketing to assess and strategize around Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. With a few tweaks, we can use SWOT analysis to plan our health and wellness journey, helping us identify barriers, set goals, and strategize better.
Creating your personal SWOT analysis
To begin, grab a piece of paper and draw a large cross to divide it into four equal quadrants. Label each quadrant as “Strengths,” “Weaknesses,” “Opportunities,“ and “Threats.” You’ll be filling in each section by answering the following questions:
1. Strengths
What are you currently doing well (e.g., exercising, sleeping, eating right, taking supplements, meditating)? What are your unique wellness skills (e.g., open to new things, good at researching local wellness experts and making appointments, sticking to diet or exercise plans)? What have you tried (or do now) that is working (e.g., specific diet, exercise plan, yoga, acupuncture)? What are the best aspects of your health (e.g., you are fit, low pain levels, sleep well, able to walk or exercise)?
Add any other questions or personal strengths to this quadrant.
2. Weaknesses
Where is the most room for improvement (e.g., pain relief, weight loss, sedentary lifestyle, mental attitude, sleep)? What resources do you lack (e.g., doctor or wellness mentor, financial means, knowledge about what to do, time, transportation)? Where do you need the most support (e.g., getting motivated, understanding of issues, prioritizing)?
3. Opportunities
What are your health and wellness goals (e.g., weight loss, pain relief, range of motion, peace of mind, more active lifestyle, more social interaction)? How can you do more now to improve your health and wellness (e.g., better sleep, make an appointment, stop snacking between meals, go for a walk every day)? What technology can help you achieve your goals (e.g., scale, Fitbit, apps, SWOT analysis)? Are there related programs or people that can help you (e.g., meetup groups, local fitness or yoga class, online counseling, company wellness incentives)?
4. Threats
What obstacles do you face (e.g., looming loss of insurance, family unsupportive of goals, too many food-based social events, upcoming surgery)? How is your home/work psychological environment (e.g., stressful, violent, lonely)? What is the condition of your home/work physical environment (e.g., lead paint, asbestos, overhead fluorescent lighting, toxic cleaning chemicals, mold or mildew)?
Take your time to carefully consider each question, adding your answers to the corresponding quadrant on your SWOT matrix. Once you’re done, you’ll have a clear overview of your health and wellness situation, making it easier to identify your priorities and next steps.
Turning your SWOT analysis into a plan
Now that you’ve got your SWOT analysis ready, it’s time to turn those insights into an actionable plan. Start by looking at your strengths and weaknesses and identifying ways to capitalize on your strengths to address your weaknesses. For example, if you have a strong exercise routine in place but struggle with emotional eating, consider how you can use your discipline and planning skills from exercising to create healthier eating habits.
Next, think about how you can harness the opportunities you identified to address your weaknesses. For example, if you lack knowledge about healthy eating but identified technology as an opportunity, explore apps or online resources for nutrition advice and recipes.
Finally, consider the threats to your wellness journey, and think about how you can mitigate them. For example, if your home environment is stressful, consider creating a calm sanctuary within your living space or finding ways to incorporate relaxation techniques into your routine.
By using SWOT analysis to plan your health and wellness journey, you can gain deeper insight into your current situation and create a tailored, actionable plan that’s more likely to succeed. After all, the best plans start with the best preparation – and what better way to prepare than with a thorough, personal SWOT analysis?
