Reflect Before You Act

In my youth, I began to take a moment after everything I said, did, or was a part of — to think about what happened, what I could have been, done, or said differently.

This practice allows me to see things not from the perspective of controlling the situation, but more specifically how I act or react to what is happening or being said or done.

While it is never perfect, after every scenario and conversation I almost always take a few seconds to reflect — whether it is the end of the day or that same moment as we wrap up and move on to the next thing.

This has taught me that I am never going to approach the optimal, or the place where I want to be, but it allows me to continue to improve on my way to where I want to go.

And it allows me to rethink what was said, whether it was what I said, or what someone else said, or what was done by me or someone else — or what I observed.

I consider how I might have been better in the words used, the scenario we were in, the place we were standing, and so on.

One example I utilize is receiving feedback after delivering a program. What I’ve noticed is that when feedback is given, people sometimes engage in an explanation of what or why they did what they did or said.

When you receive feedback from participants or the last day of the program you ask what went well, what didn’t, and how we could improve. Of course, sometimes people start with the good things, sometimes the bad, but what we observe is that people always defend the bad things.

I have learned just to say thank you and move on.

I do it so I can learn what I can do better the next time.

BEFORE YOU GO

We see our blogs as opportunities for dialogue. Please share your thoughts as comments.

1. What methods do you employ to improve your situation?
2. What other tools do you utilize to engage in feedback?
3. What books or resources have you utilized to reflect on your work?

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Faris Alami is Founder and CEO of International Strategic Management, Inc. (ISM). He works internationally, presenting Exploring Entrepreneurship Workshops and other entrepreneurial ecosystem — related ventures.