Reflection = Prevention

As humans and leaders, I am convinced that reflection is the answer to preventing pain.

Why do we wait to feel pain before acting? It is simple, we are motivated by pain.

Deep inside our own biological make-up; we eat when we lack energy or our stomach growls. We drink when we are dehydrated or our throat is parched. We scratch an itch when our skin tingles or rub a sore muscle. Let us keep dissecting other human behaviors driven by uncomfort and pain.

Within an intimate relationship, we seek partner counseling only after there is discord. Not before. Would relationships be better off if we sought out counseling while things were good?

We go to the doctor once we are ill. It is not logical to see a doctor if everything feels great! Of course, you could be an exception and stick to your yearly check-ups. What if we when to a doctor 4 times a year and avoided the major illness, could it be prevented? We service our car by giving it oil changes regularly… or at least we should. Most people do not change their diet, start exercising, or quit smoking until they are hurt.

As leaders in business, we should invest in prevention. This global health and economic crisis in front of us sheds light onto this. If more was done while things were good, could all of this been avoided? However, who wants to spend money on things that are not broken? Here lies the problem. Until the pain is upon us, we are not driven to act.

Making time to reflect is critical to prevention. It does not have to take long. On a personal level, it can be 2 minutes at the end of your day to assess:

-         What went well?

-         Why did it go well?

Make a note, and do more of it, if it brought you happiness and success!

As a business leader, the same could apply

-         What is working efficiently and does it need oil?

-         Is it time to change tires (direction) because they are wearing down?

Make a note, and adjust. Don’t simply wait for the tire to fall off. If we spend more time on reflection, investing in nurturing what is working; I believe most pain can be avoided.