MSS #060: Reflect to Perfect: Harnessing the Power of Self-Review for Unstoppable Growth

MSS #060: Reflect to Perfect: Harnessing the Power of Self-Review for Unstoppable Growth

MSS #060: Reflect to Perfect: Harnessing the Power of Self-Review for Unstoppable Growth.

2 Mar, 2024

Read time: 2.4 minutes

In a hurry? Jump to "Quick Reflection Wins" for a rapid 1.8-minute overview.

This week, we dive deep into the transformative practice of regular self-reflection, a vital tool in your personal and professional development arsenal.

Discover how dedicating time to self-review can significantly enhance your journey towards success and fulfilment.

WARNING: Self reflection is NOT an invitation to beat yourself up and be hard on yourself, so take care.

Let's unfold the benefits and methodologies of effective reflection. 👇

The Art of Self-Reflection:

Understanding the importance of self-reflection is important. It's not just about looking back; it's about learning and building on what we have done and experienced so far, to enable us for the journey going forwards.

This process helps us align us with our purpose, goals, values and wellbeing.

Why Reflect?

Regular reflection, maybe every 3-6 months, allows us to pause in our fast-paced lives and assess where we are heading. It’s an opportunity to celebrate progress, learn from experiences, and recalibrate if necessary.

Guiding Questions for Deep Reflection:

Reflect on these key aspects to foster growth and clarity:

• Progress Made: What milestones have you achieved?

  Acknowledge even the small wins.

  Our minds are designed to fixate on danger = negatives, so we notice what went not so well.

  Often one blip out ways any attention we pay to a series of small progress points.

• Lessons Learnt: What have the experiences taught you?

  Every lesson is a stepping stone.

  If we are not making “mistakes” we are not learning and growing and are probably stuck.

  Cherish the learning you have from the chinks in your armour along the way.

• Challenges Overcome: How have you grown through difficulties?

  Agility is key.

  What are you no longer fearful of because you faced a previously “scary” experience head on?

• Influential Encounters: Who has positively impacted your life? Gratitude enriches your journey. Take a moment to enjoy this.

  By giving your Reticular Activating System an image and emotion of who has helped you, it will bring similar people you encounter to your attention.

• Energy Drainers: Identify who or what saps your energy.

  It's essential to set boundaries.

  I have done a complete newsletter on this in the past. Research shows for every one negative person in a meeting, you need five positive people to overcome the effect. Even if the ratio is 3:1, it demonstrates how important it is to have less “drainers” in your life.

• Purpose Clarity: Is your sense of purpose sharper?

  A clear vision motivates.

  This is so important for daily motivation, knowing where you are heading and why it is important to you.

  The best purposes last a life time, they give you perpetual energy to move forwards.

• Alignment with Goals: Are you closer to your long-term goals or purpose?

  Adjust actions accordingly.

  Goals are the more practical stepping stones to achieving your purpose. Ideally have no more that five that move you in the direction you want to go.

• Habit Tweaks: What small changes can amplify your growth?

  Habits shape destiny.

  Ask yourself what I will,

Start

Stop,

Do More of

Do less of

Identify one area in each category to improve your life in ways that are important to you..

Quick Reflection Wins:

For those short on time, here's how to make immediate use of reflection:

1. Celebrate One Achievement: Acknowledge a recent success.

2. Identify One Lesson: What's a significant insight you've gained?

3. Plan One Small Habit Change: Choose a tweak that could lead to big results.

Deep Dive into Reflection:

My MSS #056 newsletter, "21 Key Questions for Self-Discovery and Growth," from 3 Feb 24 is a perfect companion for those ready to embark on a deeper reflection journey.

Utilise these questions to uncover insights and foster substantial personal growth.

Reflection as a Catalyst for Change:

Embracing regular reflection can dramatically shift your perspective, enhance decision-making, and boost your growth trajectory. It's about leveraging the past and present to mould a brighter, more purposeful future.

Progress log

Overcome our brains tendency to ignore positive stuff, because it offers no value for survival.

A great way to do this, is keep a simple dedicated A5 book. Hand write (science shows this has a bigger impact in our minds) progress made on a regular basis. I would suggest daily or weekly.

Periodically look back on your progress log and enjoy the progress you have made.

If you have a bad moment or something does not go well, get your progress log out so you have PROOF in your handwriting that this truly is a blip. Then write down the learning from this blip.

Summary:

Quick recap:

• Importance of self-reflection – for alignment and growth.

• Reflective questions – to guide your self-review process.

• Quick wins – immediate actions for reflection newcomers.

• Deep dive option – explore further with our guided questions.

See you next week for more insights and strategies. Don't forget to follow me on LinkedIn for daily posts designed to inspire, inform, and propel you forward.

Want more? 

When you're ready, 3 ways I can help you:

1. My book - Nuclear Powered Resilience

If you want to either build a high level or resilience or overcome a past trauma that is holding you back - check out my book.

2. Build self confidence and resilience fast - £48 training course

I have developed my book into a course to help you fully implement the benefits of my book.

3. Work with me 121 - start with a FREE 15 minutes exploration session.

Lets have an open chat and explore how I can help you and what is troubling you.

If we both think we can work together and I have what you need we can go from there.

Want to explore what else I do? including corporate speaking, coaching and workshops - say hello in an email and let’s explore together.

That's it for this week. Thanks for reading, really hope this helped. Contact me if you think I can help you further at [email protected].

Happy thinking.