Personal Reflections are not just seen in mirrors!
I’ve often compared work to running on a treadmill that is moving on high speed. It’s tricky to jump off it while it’s still moving then trying to jump back on and get back up to the original pace takes a huge amount of effort.
That’s why, if you’re following my analogy; jumping in and out of work for development time, holidays or even just some quiet thinking time gets ignored.
Taking regular time to think, to slow down and get off the treadmill will actually benefit you in the long term.
Here comes a science-y bit:
A 2018 meta-analysis by van der Maas and colleagues titled "The Effectiveness of Reflection Interventions: A Meta-Analysis" examined the impact of reflection interventions on various outcomes, including cognitive, affective, and behavioural changes. The study analysed data from 37 randomized controlled trials involving over 3,000 participants.
Key findings from the meta-analysis include:
Positive effects on cognitive outcomes: Reflection interventions were found to have positive effects on cognitive outcomes such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity.
Improved affective outcomes: Participants who engaged in reflection interventions reported improvements in their emotional well-being, self-esteem, and stress reduction.
Enhanced behavioural outcomes: Reflection interventions were associated with positive changes in behaviour, including increased motivation, goal attainment, and job performance.
Who wouldn’t want to think more clearly, have better outcomes and be able to see positive changes in behaviour. We should all be doing this, and encouraging our teams to do it to?
Let’s dial back on the science and try that again:
It helps you spot patterns: Ever noticed how you keep making the same mistakes? Reflection can help you see the big picture and figure out why that's happening.
You'll understand yourself better: It's like looking at yourself in a mirror, but for your mind. You'll learn what makes you tick, what you're good at, and where you need to improve.
It's like a free coaching session: Okay, maybe not exactly like coaching, but reflecting can help you process your feelings and deal with any stress or challenges you're facing.
You'll set better goals: When you know what's worked in the past and what hasn't, it's easier to set realistic goals and figure out how to achieve them.
So, how do you actually reflect?
There are a bunch of different ways to do it. You could:
Write it down (I’m a sucker for a pretty notebook) : Jot down your thoughts and feelings as you go.
Talk to a friend or mentor: Sometimes, talking things out can give you a new perspective.
Try a reflection app: There are lots of apps out there that can help you stay organized and focused.
You might find it helpful to put a bit of structure to your reflective practice. In a bit of Leadership Development geekery, I am a fan of Gibbs Reflective Cycle if I am helping leaders start reflect. Six stages, six questions:
Description: What happened? Just the facts.
Feelings: What emotions came up?
Evaluation: What went well or didn't?
Analysis: Why did things happen this way?
Conclusion: What did you learn?
Action Plan: What will you do differently next time?
Or perhaps you prefer to keep it simple to get you started:
WWW – What Worked Well
EBI – Even Better if…
Remember, reflection is a personal thing. There's no right or wrong way to do it. Just find what works for you and make time for it regularly. Your future self will thank you!
If you have any questions, or would like to work with a coach then please get in touch. Remember, at BOMA we have your back, and your future.
