Reflection is one of two key tools we have for building self awareness and improving our effectiveness. The other is feedback. Work places now provide more opportunities for feedback with 360’s and more regular performance reviews with managers. What is less accessible is the time to reflect – both on the feedback we receive and own inner voice reviewing our experiences.
The start of a new year provides a fantastic opportunity to reflect on what you might keep, stop or start doing to make yourself more effective. Make reflection a regular habit in your life – and you will become better at self coaching. It doesn’t need to be two days away from it all in some exotic place (although great if you can), it can as much as 5 mins a day.
Reflection is a great way to review our experiences and how they might shape our thinking and mindsets towards future experiences. When you have a positive experience it can be affirming to reflect on what you have achieved – reward improvement, good decision making and acknowledge strengths. If an experience is less positive – it is away to understand what contributed to it and what you could do differently next time. For example if you left a meeting feeling frustrated because you didn’t agree with the outcome and didn’t voice your opinion. You could ask yourself – “Why did I not speak up?” ” Was it because last time I got shot down in flames or wasn’t listened to?
If you don’t already or believe you don’t do it enough – take time to reflect in 2011.
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