Building a Better Reflection Loop: PDSA Cycle

 

Building a Better Reflection Loop: PDSA Cycle




As I work through this self-study challenge, I’ve decided to go beyond just planning and doing. I’m adopting the PDSA cycle—Plan, Do, Study, Act—to make my learning more reflective and adaptive. It’s a tool often used in healthcare, education, and productivity settings, and it’s perfect for self-directed learning projects like this one.

Why Use the PDSA Cycle?

The power of the PDSA cycle is that it makes reflection a built-in part of your learning—not something you do only at the end. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about becoming more aware of what’s working and evolving your process over time. Whether you're studying philosophy, languages, science, or creative writing, the PDSA method can help you:

  • Build sustainable learning habits

  • Identify the real barriers to progress (often emotional, not just time-related)

  • Adjust your goals with purpose instead of guilt

  • Reinforce self-compassion and curiosity in your study process

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Here’s what it looks like in practice and how I’ll use it across May and June:

  • Plan: At the start of each week, I’ll set clear goals—like which lectures I want to finish, or whether I want to add journaling or note-taking. For example, in May, my plan was to watch one lecture of Shelly Kagan's Death course per day.

Set clear and realistic goals before starting a new week or phase.

  • What specific goal do I want to achieve this week?

  • How much time can I realistically dedicate each day?

  • What resources will I need? (lectures, books, journal)

  • What potential challenges might I face?

  • How will I measure progress?




  • Do: I’ll carry out that plan, doing my best to stick to it while keeping things flexible. Sometimes I fall behind, but I usually catch up within a day or two—so this phase is all about observing my habits without judgment.

Carry out your plan as best you can, staying flexible and mindful.

  • Did I follow my plan? If not, why?

  • How focused and engaged was I during study sessions?

  • Did I experience any distractions or obstacles?

  • What strategies helped me stay motivated?

  • How did I feel during and after studying?



  • Study: At the end of each week, I’ll reflect on what happened. Did I meet my goals? Where did I struggle? Was it the timing, the difficulty of the lecture, or my own energy levels? I’ll write a short journal entry summarizing this and asking myself what I felt and learned beyond just the material.

Reflect deeply on your experience and learning outcomes.

  • Did I meet my goals? Why or why not?

  • What parts of the material were clear or confusing?

  • What emotions came up while studying? (frustration, curiosity, excitement)

  • How is this learning affecting my thinking or beliefs?

  • What patterns am I noticing in my study habits?



  • Act: Based on that reflection, I’ll make a small change. For example, if I notice I retain more when I pause and journal, I’ll start scheduling 10-minute reflection blocks after each lecture. If weekends are consistently hard, I might shift to a 5-day schedule with 2 days of optional catch-up.

Make informed adjustments to improve the next cycle.

  • What can I change to make studying easier or more effective?

  • Should I adjust my goals, schedule, or methods?

  • What new habit or tool can I try next week?

  • How can I better support my motivation and focus?

  • What positive reinforcement or rewards can I add?



I’ll repeat this cycle weekly throughout the rest of May and into June. I’m planning to layer in more activities—like reading from Kagan’s book and writing lecture summaries—so PDSA will help me adapt without burning out.


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PDSA Cycle for May 22-28 Example:

Its not Sunday or Monday, but it does not mean we can't plan.

✅ Plan

Goal:

  • Watch Lectures 17–21 (one per day, with catch-up buffer).

  • Journal briefly after 3 of the lectures (focus on how the lecture challenged your beliefs or understanding).

Schedule:

  • Monday–Friday: 1 lecture/day

  • Saturday: Optional review, journaling, or catch-up

  • Sunday: PDSA reflection

Preparation:

  • Keep journal or digital doc open while watching

  • Pre-read the titles of upcoming lectures to mentally prepare

  • Create a note in your phone or planner to track completion daily

▶️ Do

As you go through the week:

  • Watch each lecture with full attention (use full screen + headphones if possible).

  • After at least three lectures, write 5–10 sentences reflecting on:

    • What did this lecture make me question?

    • What beliefs did it challenge or clarify?

    • How did I feel emotionally or spiritually during this?

Optional: underline or tab the relevant pages in your book.

🔍 Study (Reflection – Sunday)

End-of-week reflection questions:

  • Which lecture stayed with me the most this week? Why?

  • Did I meet my goals (lectures + journaling + book)?

  • What slowed me down (if anything)? Time? Mood? Lecture difficulty?

  • How is this content influencing how I think about death, identity, or belief?

  • Did journaling deepen my understanding—or feel like a chore?

Take 10–15 minutes to write a short weekly review. You can even voice-record your reflection if you’re short on time or energy.

🔁 Act (Adjust for Next Week)

Based on what worked (and what didn’t):

  • Keep: Daily lecture + reflection for deeper thinking

  • Modify: If 5 lectures is too much, try 4 with deeper engagement

  • Add: One dedicated book day to read or annotate the companion text

  • Reward: Plan a small treat (like a cozy tea or favorite snack) for completing the weekly cycle


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