The Power of Self-Reflection

In an era where capturing the perfect selfie has become a daily ritual, what if we turned the camera inward and took a daily "mental selfie"? Imagine if, instead of focusing on our outward appearance, we spent a few minutes each day reflecting on our thoughts, actions, and growth as leaders. While a selfie might catch a great hair day, a daily mental selfie can capture something even more transformative — our professional growth.

Thanks to the Manager Developer Experience at adidas (aka MDE), I’ve adopted a practice that’s as beneficial as it is simple: spending just 15 minutes at the end of most workdays in self-reflection. This practice has helped me adopt to leading in a dynamic environment where the priorities chosen in a 90-day plan can be suspended on short-notice. Inspired by Morten Hansen’s “Great at Work” and other articles I found in the HBR such as "Don't Underestimate the Power of Self-Reflection”, I’ve discovered that this small habit can create a powerful learning loop that deals with the events of the day and helps me sleep better at night.

The (Almost) Daily 15-Minute Self-Reflection Practice

So, what does this 15-minute daily ritual look like? Well, it’s less about admiring the look of my latest adidas shirt in front of a mirror and more about sitting quietly with my thoughts, a fresh page in my notebook and a fountain pen. For some a digital approach is best, but for me reflection is easiest with no distractions.

I start by reviewing the day's events, sometimes during my daily walk or run prior, noting down what went well and where I things could have gone better. I ask myself a series of questions: "What did I learn today?", "How did I handle challenges?", and the ever popular, "What could I have done differently?" Spoiler alert: there’s always something I could have done differently.

For those days when my brain feels mushy, I use tools like journaling prompts or structured templates to guide my reflections. Even a quick conversation with Dr. ChatGPT can be helpful. I have even tried practice mindfulness meditation to help centre my thoughts, but it can be tough to keep my mind from wandering off. The best thing is to simply start writing and find the flow from taking action.

Benefits of Self-Reflection

The secret power of self-reflection for leaders is the growing of self-awareness. The theory is that by understanding my strengths and weaknesses I should be better navigate my role. In practice there have been days where it has turned my daily experiences into valuable lessons, and some days where there wasn’t much I could learn. But the practice has been valuable and serves as closure on days where nagging thoughts can interrupt my evening.

Improved decision-making is another perk. By reflecting on past mistakes, I can make more informed choices in the future. And let’s not forget emotional intelligence. Regular self-reflection is helping me manage my emotions better, lower anxiety about situations, and develop stronger interpersonal skills.

Integrating the ideas of others

"Great at Work" emphasises the principle of doing less but obsessing over it. This resonated with me because I find it easy to get bogged down by an endless to-do list. Through self-reflection, I’ve learned to identify which tasks truly add value and which ones are just busywork when creating my weekly action list.

The book also talks about creating a continuous feedback loop. My daily self-reflection practice is my personal feedback loop, allowing me to assess my actions and learn from them. It’s like having a mini performance review with myself every day, minus the awkward small talk and the pressure to sound impressive.

In reading other articles there is plenty of scientific evidence showing that self-reflection improves performance and decision-making. As leaders, this means better strategies, more effective communication, and a calmer, more composed demeanour (at least to everyone watching). One of the best tips was to set specific reflection goals – such as “what do I hope to get out of this exercise?”. It’s not just about thinking back on the day but doing so with purpose and direction.

Personal Experiences and Outcomes

When I first started this practice, I faced some internal resistance. The end of the day is when I am tired and just want to take a break. But I have tried to make it a habit following going for a walk or run at the end of the day. While it is hard to quantify after only a short period, I believe it is helping to develop my leadership skills, give better guidance to my team, and has been helpful to problem solving. I also found that taking the time to express myself in writing has been helpful in stopping myself from obsessing about events late at night when I’m just trying to sleep.

The initial challenges, such as fighting the urge to check my phone have gradually subsided with the use of tools such as Ticktime Pomodoro timer. Now, this practice is becoming a normal part of my day, helping me wind down and prepare for the next. If the research is correct, the long-term benefits should be substantial, leading to sustained personal and professional growth and a better work-life balance. Who knew that a few minutes of daily introspection could have such a profound impact?

Final Thoughts

With the benefits I’ve already experienced, I believe that the practice of daily self-reflection, akin to taking a mental selfie, is going to be a key tool to growing as a leader. By dedicating just 15 minutes at the end of each day to this practice, I’m becoming more self-aware, made better decisions, and fostered continuous learning and growth.

I encourage you to try it for yourself. Start with a 15-minute daily commitment and observe the changes over time. As you do, you’ll find that this simple habit can lead to significant improvements in your professional and personal life.

So, go ahead—take that daily mental selfie. You might just discover a better version of yourself staring back at you.