Powerful Women Reflect

The Focus Forward Formula: Propelling More Women Lawyers to Power Positions

I'm on a mission to propel more women lawyers to power positions where they can have more control over their careers, compensation, and courage. Today, we talk about?the power of reflection and how to do it effectively.

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Powerful Women Reflect?

“It Is Now 7:06. You Have Exactly 8 Hours And 54 Minutes To Think About Why You Are Here – To Ponder The Error Of Your Ways.”?

Richard Vernon, The Breakfast Club

Self-reflection often seems like being in detention where you have nothing to do but reflect on your failings. And what makes it worse is that your harshest critic – yourself – gives the feedback. For this reason, many of us avoid the growth that comes from self-reflection.

While Vice Principal Vernon had no positive intent when he made his statement, many self-learnings came out of a day with few opportunities for other activities. (and yes, I know that there are many ways this movie does not hold up well today).?

For example, Clare realizes: “I hate having to go along with everything my friends say.” And later, Clare realizes that she has a choice.

Similarly, career self-reflection allows you to realize where you are and have control over it.

The benefits include:

• Reducing negative thoughts.
• Increasing your understanding of yourself and key stakeholders.
• Emphasizing your strengths and improving your weaknesses.
• Clarifying your intentions for your time and talents.
• Defining professional goals and being strategic with growth opportunities.

Here are some tips to make your self-reflection more effective and impactful:

Calendar the Time

Remember the old saying, that which is measured - gets done. Well, concerning self-reflection, that which you calendar gets done. So, calendar this time to ensure that you invest the time in yourself. It also allows you to set aside the right amount of time to set the most effective stage for you.?

Identify what is important to you to reflect on.?

Do some prep work ahead of time to think about what you want to reflect on. Think about what the best use of your time would be on. Is it your relationship with your co-workers? Is it why you haven’t been able to advance? Or is it that you know you are most effective when you have time to work out and are still lucky to work out one day a week?

Not sure what to reflect on – here are some sample questions/topics. This list is to inspire you—not limit you. You know best where you should be spending this time.

• What career milestones did I achieve this year? What I haven’t?
• What enables me to achieve them? What were the blockers? What could I learn from this?
• What challenges prevented me from being my best self? What could I do differently?
• How has this last year or month impacted how I view my career? What do I want to stay the same? What do I want to be different? What prevents me from doing things differently?
• How valued do I feel in my current position? Why? What could I do to maintain or change it?
• What areas do I want to improve?
• What are my career goals for the next year, quarter, or month? What do I need to do to make them a reality? What could hold me back?
• What is the legacy I want to leave? Where am I in that process?
• How can I have a more significant impact on others or an organization?

Set The Stage

It is essential that your environment that is conducive to reflection. The best environment differs from person to person. Some people like to journal in the morning with a scented candle, others prefer an office setting, and some like to be active and may go for a walk. What is important is that you have cleared space for uninterrupted time.?

Reflect

Take note of what comes out of the reflection without judgment. Also, appreciate that it may take several sessions to reflect fully and some that it may take several sessions or days for your brain to process all. Don’t expect all of the answers at once or in sessions. Many of my clients have their most significant revelations a week later while doing a chore. If you are having trouble assessing or going through the information, you should work with a trusted advisor, mentor, or coach.

Unlike the Breakfast Club, you don’t have to write an essay saying who you think you are. However, you can use this reflection time to decide who you want to become and what may be the best path for you.

PS Give yourself the gift of time to reflect on your career plan by joining us at either our One-Day GC Accelerator Mini Retreat in NYC?or Rainmaker Retreat in?Barbados.

Sheila is the CEO of Focus Forward Consulting. She helps intelligent and accomplished women lawyers go from uncertain and uninspired to unstoppable and attain power positions where they have greater control of their careers, compensation, and courage.