Progress visualization of a person's self-development?

Question

I'm talking about any kind of self-improvement that is monitored/tracked. Most common example are fitness trackers or apps.

Now are there any guidelines or examples on this?
How would one best visualize the progress of the user over time, so that it will help him/her reflect upon it?

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Context

In my specific case it's about mental improvement (self-affirmation, confidence exercises and stuff like that). So participants have a main goal and finish certain steps on the way towards it.
The data I'll have will most likely be number of finished steps, distance to reaching the goal, self-reflection entries and possibly other ways.

The process is supposed to happen over approx. 3 weeks, with the user finishing a "step" approx. every 2-3 days and getting a new one then.

Since self-reflection is a crucial part of such a mental improvement process (Paper1 & Paper2) I really want to present the data in the most helpful way possible.

Answer 1

In my opinion, as mentioned above, in order to show progress, this progress should be measurable. Mental improvement sounds like something that is hard to be measured. Things that come to my mind:

1. Create something like "mental health" score which is based on different measurable aspects. This one needs serious thinking and consideration what is ethically and scientifically correct.

2. Show only measurable things: hours spent reading, topics covered, steps walked, miles, mood, etc.

3. Use a metaphor for visualizing improvement or any development. This way you are also gamifying the app too. Example: a seed growing into a plant, the growth of the plant itself, garden, etc. I have seen such an examples in an app for controlling and monitoring blood pressure. The more strict the user is and follows the schedule, the better the plant was.

4. And last suggestion, use daily questionnaires, so users can self-reflect and rate their confidence, etc which could be easily visualized over time.

Answer 2

The first thing that pops into my mind is Duolingo app. It's quite a good way to show the goals and the progression towards those goals.

In your particular case my advice would be to focus on positive reaffirmation wherever possible as this might help improve the mental state of the user when reviewing progress. It would be interesting to see how your app's voice and tone is and how that will effect the user.