Directions: Read through this template to learn more about the IDGs, to assess your use of them in your teaching, and to set goals for further integration of the IDGs.

<aside> 💡 The 5 IDGs (Inner Development Goals) were developed after the 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), in recognition that we need deeper shifts in our mindsets and habits in order to enact the SDGs. In other words, change starts within and continues in relationships. In order to change our world for the better, we need to first look within and then build healthy relationships in our communities, all while recognizing our interconnectedness with all life on this planet.

</aside>

Step 1: Assess Your Current Inclusion of IDGs

Directions: Using this template, rate yourself on your current inclusion of each IDG.

RATE YOURSELF: 1) Absent OR 2) Emerging OR 3) Comprehensive

Details: You can use this template for one particular course at a time, or think about your teaching in general across multiple courses. The choice is yours. There are 5 IDGs (Being, Thinking, Relating, Collaborating, and Acting). You are asked to rate the sub-goals within each IDG. Each IDG subgoal is hyperlinked to the IDG website where you’ll find more information on that specific goal by selecting it from the menus provided. You might wish to review these details or simply rate based on your initial assumptions. In the HOW section, you can leave this blank or enter in specific details about how you are meeting that IDG (e.g., through readings, assignments, etc.). Finally, remember, this isn’t a contest to meet the most IDGs, it’s about establishing a baseline for YOUR teaching to help you celebrate what you’re doing and set small goals for progress. Remember, we can only ever start from where we are.

<aside> 📌 Self-reflection: What did you learn by assessing your current use of the IDGs in your teaching? Which of the 5 main IDGs feels like your biggest strength? Which are you most curious about? Is there an IDG subgoal that is pulling you strongly toward it? RESPOND HERE:

</aside>

Step 2: Set Personalized Goals

Now that you’ve noticed and celebrated where you are, where would you like to go? Building upon the self-assessment you just completed, choose one or more IDG subgoals that you’d like to more deeply integrate into your teaching and courses. I’ll be listing all of the IDG subgoals in the chart below, but I strongly encourage you to choose only 1-3 to develop goals.

I know many folks are big fans of SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). If that works for you, use it. If not, feel free to create slightly more abstract goals.

I’d also like to remind you of two tenets of emergent strategy: 1) Small is all. 2) Critical connections > Critical mass. What is the smallest thing you can do to make progress toward integrating this IDG into your courses? What is one critical connection you can build to support that work?

<aside> 📌 WRITE: How do you feel about your goals? What resources do you already have to meet these goals? Be specific and name them. What support do you need to meet these goals? Again, be specific and name them. RESPOND HERE:

</aside>

Step 3: Consider the IDGs.

The IDGs, or Inner Development Goals, were developed after the SDGs with a recognition that there are certain inner states of being and skills/habits that need to be developed in order for us to most effectively work with the SDGs. Some view the IDGs as a precursor to the SDGs. Many view them as simply complementary, and I’m of that mindset. I encourage you to work with both the IDGs and SDGs in the way that feels most accessible and generative to you. Check out the complementary SDG template to continue this work.

Thank you for taking the time to consider the IDGs. May it be of benefit. For more information on my Climate Action Pedagogy work, visit www.climateactionpedagogy.com.