Create a Personal Curriculum (Without Turning It Into Homework)

How to Design Intentional Self-Learning That Actually Sticks

Sometimes the best ideas don’t come from articles or books. They come from scrolling TikTok late at night and thinking, wait… that’s actually really smart. That’s exactly what happened when I stumbled across the idea of a personal curriculum.

At its core, a personal curriculum is about intentional self-learning. Instead of consuming random podcasts, books, and content and hoping it all adds up, you decide what you want to learn, why it matters right now, and how you’re going to approach it in a way that fits your real life.

In this episode, I’m sharing how I took the traditional, academic version of a personal curriculum and reimagined it into something relaxed, supportive, and actually enjoyable. I’ll walk you through the simple quarterly framework I’m using, the three categories I chose for myself, and how you can create your own without pressure, guilt, or overwhelm.

HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1️⃣ Intentional Learning Beats Random Consumption – A personal curriculum gives your learning direction. Instead of dabbling in everything, you choose a focused timeframe, clear categories, and meaningful topics so your growth actually moves you forward.

2️⃣ Quarterly Curriculums Create Focus Without Pressure – Monthly plans can feel rushed and yearly plans can feel overwhelming. A 90-day personal curriculum gives you structure, flexibility, and a natural reset point to reassess what’s working.

3️⃣ Your Curriculum Should Support Your Future Self – The most powerful learning is aligned with who you’re becoming. When you choose topics that move you closer to your future self, personal growth feels exciting instead of exhausting.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Personal Curriculum: Intentional Self-Learning

05:32 Start Your 90-Day Focus

06:51 Future Self One-Sheet Guide

10:34 Simple Personal Growth Plan

13:44 Exploring Unseen Perspectives

17:17 Quarterly Coaching Goals Revealed

19:37 Seeking Coaching Podcast Recommendations

24:48 Curiosity-Driven Learning Matters

27:10 Creating My Own Journaling System

29:47 Organized Life with Planners

34:02 Designing Your Personal Curriculum

36:19 Assign Learning Inputs

39:41 Designing Your Personal Curriculum

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

AI Prompt to Design Your Future Self

AI Prompt to Create Your Personal Curriculum

The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier

Dear Gabby Podcast by Gabby Bernstein

Full Focus Planner

Cloth & Paper

Notion

Watch this episode on YouTube

Connect with the wonderful Nancy Levin, Levin Life Coach Academy

MORE FROM ME

Follow me on Instagram @amyporterfield

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