Achar Ke Vichar – Retrospection

Achar Ke Vichar – Retrospection

Some months ago, we had drawn up this list of ways to increase our efficiency at work.

One of the things listed there was the importance to review our work at the end of every day. But just how do we review? What do we ask ourselves?

Here are five questions we need to ask ourselves at the end of every workday.

1.   Did I achieve my goals today? - Remember when we have had a long day but cannot for the life of us, quantify what we did in all those hours? Yep that day! Goal-setting is without a doubt the most important activity of the day. It keeps us motivated on a daily basis and focused on the long-term vision. So just before we pack up for the day, ask ourselves if we have achieved what we set out to achieve.

2.   Where did I go wrong? - That is the logical progression if the answer to the previous question was a 'No'. But even otherwise, it is crucial to ask ourselves what we may have done wrong. Perhaps our choice of words in a meeting was not appropriate. Perhaps we did something that may tick off boss or client. Perhaps we let slip a piece of information to a colleague who wasn't supposed to know it. These may be little things but it is important to be sensitive to one's words and actions because we alone are responsible for them. Needless to say, it is crucial we have to be open to the idea of accepting mistakes.

3.   What can I learn from my mistakes? - No mistake is worthless if we can learn something from it. The idea, as we may well know, is to not repeat it and instead learn from it. So before we end our day and prepare for the next, think back and ask ourselves what were our learnings from our mistake?

4.   What kept me motivated? - Sometimes we have successfully achieved what we wanted despite it being a terrible day. Look back at our day and ask ourselves what was it that kept us going? Remind ourselves of that on a day when we are all beaten down. Because that is what will get us back on our feet!

5.   What should I be thankful for? - Never end our day without this question. It is easy to take things in our job (and life) for granted. Take a moment to think back about the people who have helped us get through the day. It could be the office boy who couriered a letter for us; the canteen boy who got us that cup of chai when we needed it the most; or even our boss, who stood by us when he could have well shrugged his shoulders. 

Be thankful for the people around us; they may be just doing their jobs but if they have touched our life and have enriched it even in the smallest possible way, don't forget to say a kind word before we leave. It will make a difference!

#acharkevichar