Why We Need the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) More Than Ever

For a long time, I felt like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders.

I was deeply concerned about the planet—climate change, social injustice, biodiversity loss. I tried to do my part: making sustainable choices, advocating for change, working on solutions. But no matter how much I did, it felt like it was never enough.

I was stressed, overwhelmed, and close to burnout. And I know I’m not alone in this feeling.

In a time when global crises feel more urgent than ever, many of us are asking:

How do we keep going when the challenges seem so vast?
How do we stay engaged without burning out?
How can we create real change—not just externally, but at a deeper level?
The answer? My Own Inner Development.
Why IDGs Are More Critical Than Ever

For years, the world has focused on external solutions—technological fixes, policies, and financial incentives to create change. But we cannot transform systems without transforming ourselves.

““We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.””

— Albert Einstein

The Inner Development Goals (IDGs) provide a roadmap for the skills and mindsets we need to face today’s crises with resilience, wisdom, and collective intelligence. They help us move from a reactive state of stress and fear to proactive, creative, and sustainable action.

Here’s why we need IDGs more than ever:

1. Because External Change Requires Inner Strength

It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of global problems. But change starts within. If we want to create a sustainable, just, and thriving future, we need:

Self-awareness – To understand how our actions and mindsets shape the world.
Resilience – To stay engaged in the long run, without burning out.
Compassion – To build bridges instead of deepening divides.
Courage – To challenge outdated systems and step into new ways of leading.

Without these inner capacities, even the best external strategies will fall short.

2. Because Old Mindsets Are Holding Us Back

We are still operating in a world built on mechanistic thinking—one that sees humans as separate from nature, measures success in profit, and values speed over depth. This mindset has led us to climate breakdown, social injustice, and mental health crises.

We need to shift:

From control to collaboration – Learning from nature and indigenous wisdom.
From scarcity to sufficiency – Recognizing that we have enough when we share wisely.
From urgency to intentionality – Acting with purpose, not panic.
From burnout to balance – Sustainability starts within.

3. Because We Need New Leadership

The world doesn’t just need more action—it needs better leadership. Leaders who:

Think systemically and see the bigger picture.
Lead with emotional intelligence and deep listening.
Have the inner resilience to guide others through uncertainty.

The IDGs offer a framework to develop these skills—not just for CEOs and politicians, but for all of us. Because everyone is a leader in their own way.

My Personal Journey: From Powerlessness to Purpose

I used to believe that if I just worked harder, learned more, and pushed forward, I could make a difference. But the more I did, the more I felt stressed, exhausted, and stuck.

The turning point came when I realized that I needed to approach change differently. Instead of just focusing on what I could do, I started asking:

How do I stay resilient and energized in my work?
How can I create impact from a place of balance, not stress?
What does real, sustainable leadership look like?

That’s when I discovered the Inner Development Goals. They gave me a new framework—not just for action, but for how I show up in the world.

I learned that sustainability starts within—that my energy, mindset, and emotions directly shape my impact.

I realized that real leadership isn’t about knowing all the answers—it’s about deep listening, collaboration, and courage.

And most importantly, I saw that inner work is not separate from outer change—it’s the foundation of it.

A Call to Action: What’s Your Next Step?

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the state of the world, you’re not alone. But you’re also not powerless.

What’s one inner skill you want to develop to be part of the change?

What’s an old way of thinking you’re ready to let go of?

Let’s explore these new possibilities together.

Feel free to drop me a email with your comments!

Let’s start the conversation!
You are always welcome to book me in my open calendar here.

Inner Development Goals: More Needed Than Ever