Self-Reflection
As we wrap up 2018 and step into 2019 it is important we take a moment to pause and self-reflect on our accomplishments, failures, regrets in our personal and professional life. Who is in a better position to assess you, other than yourself.
Reminds me a famous lyric from Michael Jackson’s – Man in the Mirror.
“ I’m starting with the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to change his ways. And no message could have been any clearer. If you wanna make the world a better place Take a look at yourself, and then make a change” – Michael Jackson
I doubt if anyone would argue on this. When I started thinking on how to end my 2018 in a more meaningful way - I thought I would open and share my thoughts on Self-Reflection, with you all.!
I agree with your question– (why the heck I care about your thoughts of Self-Reflection?)
To be candid – I would ask the same question if I must read someone else’s thoughts. But, my curious mind might still want to browse through quickly to see if there is something I would be interested in or learn from. It’s our curiosity fuels innovation and science say, Be Curious! I can attest the following principles has helped me tremendously in my personal and professional life.
Self-reflection is a very powerful tool and if you practice it daily - you will create tremendous number of new opportunities for you and for people around you. There will be more success and less of failures when you practice Self-Reflection.
I am in a leadership role and my decisions are crucial and I am very cautious on my decision making like everybody else and I deliberately integrate self-reflect component into everything I do. Here are few things that I practice daily – hope this helps some of you:
- Every decision you make, consider a self-reflecting component before any decision is made – How does it impact me and others around me and will I regret on this decision, later?
- Avoid making emotional decisions – focus on objectives and key-results.
- Be transparent, honest, empathic and drive passion in everything you do.
- Lead by example.
- Layout a clear vision on what you want to be and create a plan of action. If you are in a leadership role you are responsible and accountable for many people reporting into you.! It is important you and your team see the same “North Star” and creating a positive impact across your company.
- Build a framework that creates opportunities for individuals in your teams to grow, excel and thrive in the organization. This in turn ignites motivation and passion in your teams.
- Be Bold, Dream Big, publicize your objectives, influence your teams/stakeholders to follow your objectives you want to achieve by quarter, or by end of the year.
- Think 1-2 years ahead of the game on how you can position yourself and your team to be ready for the future.
Does this really work? – Here are my facts of self-reflection. I measure it through my team’s success and failures; of course, adding my list as well..
As we started wrapping up the year, I have asked my team to pause and take moment to write their story of self-reflection. yeah!!! Now, you are in true realization mode wandering to identify what the heck I did during the last 12 months –
Did I make the right decisions?
Was I impactful?
Did I learn something new?
Am I ready to move up the chain?
Was I full of shit?
Am I confident enough to showcase my success to my peers and boss?
And many more questions going on your mind…
When I started penning down my story, it was amazing how I could see frame by frame of what just happened during the last 12 months; as if I was looking myself in the mirror. I was able to wander to any date, hour and minute of the year and get to every minute details, decisions that I have made and how those decisions had put me in a position where I am today. It was an amazing experience and I think everyone should experience it.
I had few of my team members who shared similar experiences and how they felt as they started putting their story together.
Conclusion:
It is important we are self-aware of our success and failures frequently and how we are having an impact across the company and on the people around us. Keep hitting the “Refresh” button often. Self-aware requires self-reflection.