Sound familiar? You’re spinning loads of plates. You’re delivering your day job, running a team and being asked to support different projects across your organisation. Like everyone else, the last two years have been an incredible rollercoaster. Every time you think the pressure’s off, something else pops up.
It feels like you’re permanently ‘doing’ with very little time for ‘being’ . There’s no space to think. Some days you feel like the words, “And you may ask yourself, “Well, how did I get here?” from the Talking Heads song was written for you.
Image: Priscilla du preez, unsplash
When I’ve worked with or coached leaders and asked about how they reflect, many tell me that they have no time to do it or don’t see the value in it at all. Others may use time with a coach as their (only) opportunity to do it. But research is pointing to its value.
What is reflection?
In a nutshell, it’s a process that helps us learn from our past performance and supports us as we move forward into the future. It’s a way to help us learn both from our mistakes and what’s worked well. Once you’re in the habit and you make time for it, reflection helps us ask better questions of ourselves and we get better at spotting the dots that join between things or circumstances that don’t seem to be connected. We can make our reflection detailed or high level but starting somewhere is key. So, here are four ways to begin if this isn’t something you do regularly.
Journal…
There are different tools to help shape your reflection and learning approach. I journal regularly and often free write what’s gone on in my day. It’ll only take a few minutes – but don’t overthink it or edit it. There is lots of guidance online about getting into a journaling practice. Try it and find a way that works best for you.
Ask yourself questions
There are different tools we can use to guide reflection of significant things we might want to learn more from - from straightforward questions like, “what did I learn?”, if I had to do it again, what would I have said or done differently?” or “Why am I feeling the way I do about this?” or “What is that telling me?”
If you want to explore more, have a look at a model from Rolfe et al which offers three simple questions but when answered in detail will likely lead to action.
Capture your thoughts
Some people prefer to hand write ideas, thoughts or reflections or others dictate into their phone or use an app so they can use it on the move. Whatever works best for you. Once you get used to it, you’ll start to find inspiration, ideas, thoughts or feelings that can be helpful.
Work with a coach
Making dedicated time for reflection and through powerful listening and questioning, coaching can offer you the space to reflect on your experiences, thoughts and ideas out loud and without being given advice.
Getting into the habit of learning through reflection is a hugely powerful tool that can help adjust how we respond to people and situations around us. It can help us get a different perspective on the world too.
If you’d like to chat more about this practice or find out how coaching could help improve your own reflection practice, please get in touch.