Tools for Navigating a Long Journey

On my journey to personal growth, I've been a long fan of gratitude (since I met Chris Schembra ?? ). I enjoy acknowledging and appreciating my achievements, and I make it a point to end each day with gratitude to help me refocus on my tasks and avoid feeling overwhelmed (see my practice here)

But through recent introspection, I've discovered the benefits of weaving reflection into my practices —a tool that doesn't just celebrate success at the finish line but helps me understand the delays and pitfalls along the way.

Gratitude has been my ally, instilling a sense of positivity and appreciation in my daily life. However, it often felt like a one-dimensional lens, capturing the highlights while leaving the intricacies of other things I've experienced. During moments of reflection, I found valuable insights.

Reflection, unlike gratitude's quick acknowledgment, takes time. It's here that I don't just pat myself on the back for reaching the summit; I scrutinize the path, the choices, the stumbles, and the detours that define my journey. It's in understanding these delays and pitfalls that I found the real lessons, the gems of wisdom that gratitude sometimes overlooks.

People who helped, things I tried before learning the pros and cons, or shortcuts I took that felt brave at first but correct looking back.

As I bring this newfound tool, reflection, to my arsenal, I feel equipped to face the unknowns of my next goals. It's not about merely celebrating success but about extracting meaning from the entire journey.

To your question, no, I didn't stop practicing gratitude. But I do so with a companion—reflection—knowing that together they form a strong pair that allows me to shape my perspective, foster resilience, and take my learnings to the next level.

“It is always our own self that we find at the end of the journey. The sooner we face that self, the better.” —?Ella Maillart

Getting Started with Reflection

Reflection is a personal practice, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach. You should experiment with different methods to discover what works best for you and adjust your reflective practices accordingly.

The way I do it is by defining a goal and when I reach it, I ask a few questions. This is a list of questions to guide your thinking:

• What went well today/this week/this month? What went well that allowed me to reach my goal?
• What challenges did I face, and how did I handle them? This question is so important as it helps me identify recurring challenges or patterns in my life and understand what types of challenges I commonly face. I find that identifying my patterns can help you anticipate and prepare for them in the future.
• What did I learn about myself in certain situations? Reflection on this question helps me learn about my strengths and weaknesses in dealing with challenges. When I recognize the skills and qualities that helped me overcome obstacles, I can also pinpoint areas where I can improve or seek support.
• What would I do differently if faced with a similar situation in the future? Not an easy question at all, but reflecting on what I would do differently allows me to consider adjustments to my approach. This question promotes adaptability, helping me identify alternative strategies and responses that might be more effective in similar situations.

“People who have had little self-reflection live life in a huge reality blind-spot.”?—?Bryant McGill

Reinventing yourself is a continuous journey. Be patient with yourself, and don't hesitate to ask for help when needed. Each step you take is a step toward the person you aspire to be.