The Power of Reflection: How a Junior Control Engineer Found Focus and Achieved More

Summary: In the fast-paced world of engineering, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush of deadlines and technical challenges. Howard, a junior control engineer, learned the hard way that to truly succeed, he needed to make time for reflection. In this blog post, we follow Howard’s journey of discovery and explore how building a reflective routine into his daily life helped him focus, achieve more, and reduce stress. Plus, we offer tips on how you can build reflection into your own routine for greater success.

Meet Howard: Overwhelmed, Stressed, and Looking for Answers

Howard had been working as a junior control engineer for just over a year. He loved the work—troubleshooting, optimizing systems, and ensuring everything ran smoothly. But lately, things felt overwhelming. The deadlines kept tightening, and no matter how fast he worked, there never seemed to be enough hours in the day. Every task felt like a race against time, and despite his hard work, he often wondered if he was truly making progress.

One afternoon, while staring at a complex set of control parameters on his screen, Howard’s colleague Emily stopped by.

"Hey, Howard, you okay?" she asked, noticing the stress on his face.

Howard sighed. "I’m just swamped. No matter how much I do, it never feels like enough. It’s like I’m putting out fires all day long, but I can’t get ahead of them."

Emily leaned in. “You know, I’ve been there too. But here's something that really helped me—taking time to step back and reflect. I don’t just rush through my tasks; I think about them, what went well, and what could be improved for next time.”

Howard gave her a skeptical look. “Reflection? I don’t have time for that. I’m barely keeping up as it is.”

Emily smiled, “It’s not about slowing down, it’s about working smarter. You need to process what you’ve done so you can do it better next time. Trust me, it’ll help.”

The Realization

Over the next few days, Howard couldn’t shake Emily’s words. He realized he was simply reacting to the demands of his role without considering whether he was focusing on the right things. He was checking off tasks without reflecting on how or why he was doing them.

One evening, he decided to try something new. Instead of diving straight into his next task, he sat down with a notebook. He jotted down what he had accomplished that day, what went well, what he struggled with, and what still needed to be done. As he reflected, clarity began to emerge. He saw where he had spent too much time on minor tasks and where he could have been more efficient.

This brief moment of reflection allowed him to understand what worked, what didn’t, and how he could improve in the future.

The Benefits of Reflection

The next week, Howard made it a habit. Each evening, just before wrapping up his day, he spent 10-15 minutes reflecting. He asked himself:

• What went well today?
• Where did I struggle, and why?
• What can I do differently tomorrow?
• Did I prioritize the right tasks?
• How can I be more efficient moving forward?

As he did this consistently, Howard noticed he was feeling more focused and less stressed. By simply taking a moment to reflect, he was able to understand his strengths and areas for improvement. More importantly, he became more intentional about his time and priorities, which helped him work smarter, not harder.

Tips for Building Reflection Into Your Routine

If you’re feeling overwhelmed like Howard was, here are a few tips to start reflecting and get more out of your day:

1. Start Small Set aside 10-15 minutes each day to reflect. Whether at the end of the workday or at the start of the next, find a quiet moment to jot down your thoughts.
2. Ask Reflective Questions Go beyond just "What did I do today?" Ask yourself: How did I solve problems? What worked well? What can I improve? This deeper level of reflection will help you improve continuously.
3. Use a Journal or Notebook Writing things down makes your reflections more concrete and actionable. Plus, you can track your progress over time, which can be motivating.
4. Make It a Routine Reflection should be a habit, not a chore. Build it into your daily workflow. The more consistent you are, the more effective it will become.
5. Celebrate Small Wins Acknowledge what went well, not just what needs improvement. Celebrating your successes reinforces positive behavior.

Howard’s experience proves that reflection doesn’t slow you down—it makes you more focused and efficient. By building reflection into your routine, you can gain clarity on your strengths and areas for growth, ultimately working smarter and achieving more. So, the next time you feel overwhelmed, take a step back. Reflect, reset, and move forward with greater purpose.

Reader's Question:

How can I tell if I'm reflecting productively, or just overthinking?

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Marc LeVine is a Syracuse (NY) University graduate with a degree in Industrial Psychology; Marc is currently a Talent Acquisitions Manager at Thermo Systems. He received the Excellence in Talent Acquisitions Award from HR Awards in 2021.

Marc's prior employment includes senior Human Resources and Staffing Industry management roles with Edgewood Properties in Piscataway, NJ; Brickforce Staffing in Edison, NJ; InfoPro Inc. in Woodbridge, NJ and Plainsboro, NJ; and Harvard Industries in Farmingdale, NJ; a former Fortune 500 company. He also served as Director of Human Resources for New Jersey Press, the parent company of the Asbury Park Press, Home News and Tribune, and WKXW-NJ101.5. Earlier in his career, Marc served as Director of Career Services and Placement at Union Technical Institute in Eatontown and Neptune, NJ. In addition, Marc owned and operated Integrity Consulting Associates, a New Jersey-based Human Resources and Social Media Marketing firm, for 11 years. Marc also served as Council President in his Freehold Borough, NJ hometown.

Marc's prior employment includes senior Human Resources and Staffing Industry management roles with Edgewood Properties in Piscataway, NJ; Brickforce Staffing in Edison, NJ; InfoPro Inc. in Woodbridge, NJ and Plainsboro, NJ; and Harvard Industries in Farmingdale, NJ; a former Fortune 500 company. He also served as Director of Human Resources for New Jersey Press, the parent company of the Asbury Park Press, Home News and Tribune, and WKXW-NJ101.5. Earlier in his career, Marc served as Director of Career Services and Placement at Union Technical Institute in Eatontown and Neptune, NJ. In addition, Marc owned and operated Integrity Consulting Associates, a New Jersey-based Human Resources and Social Media Marketing firm, for 11 years. Marc also served as Council President in his Freehold Borough, NJ hometown.

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