Do you remember the last time you paused and reflected on your life? In today’s fast-paced society, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day activities of our daily lives and not take time to reflect. Besides, we rarely appreciate how self-reflection impacts our lives.
Self-reflection can be a great way to change your mindset, increase positivity, and discover a deeper connection with yourself. I’ve also gained a better understanding of the way I respond to situations, and how to deal with those situations positively instead of allowing them to consume me.
Why Should I Self-Reflect?
Reflection allows the brain to pause amidst the chaos, untangle and sort through observations and experiences, consider multiple possible interpretations, and create meaning. Unless we question ourselves about what our experiences mean and think actively about them, we won’t make any changes.
If you take time out of your busy schedule to self-reflect, you will be able to:
1. Make sense of things.
We only confuse and frustrate ourselves when we keep our thoughts floating in our heads. Reflecting on your feelings and thoughts can help you process them.
2. Uncover breakthroughs.
We tend to see our problems as bigger than they are when we overthink things without taking action. You’ll find that if you take the time to pause, reflect, and look within, you have many of the answers you’ve been seeking.
3. Challenge your thoughts.
We tend to focus on the negative; for instance, our perceived weaknesses, mistakes we’ve made, or embarrassing moments. Reflecting on these things and writing them down will lead you to ask yourself if you truly believe them. You’ll begin to realize that the things you tell yourself about yourself aren’t always true.
4. Live with more intention.
Most of our days blend into one another, so regularly reflecting on your day can remind you that they’re different. Alternatively, it can inspire you to think of ways to make your life more joyous and fun. When you live deliberately, you assume greater responsibility and make more conscious choices.
How I’ve Self-Reflected
As I reflect on 2021, I have evolved in several ways: I have learned how to make do with less, focus on what truly brings me joy, and let go of the rest. I have enjoyed the time to slow down and pause, to observe my surroundings and more nuanced things, like seeing how my children get excited over the little things that many of us take for granted. As a result, I have learned to be far more forgiving of myself and others.
It meant reflecting on what kind of work I’m most passionate about, who I want to work with, where I want to go, and what career success really means to me. It means not taking for granted any aspect of my health. It meant learning to be more purposeful and intentional about whom I will gather with and how after the pandemic.
How did you behave in times that were challenging, stressful, different, and unknown? How did you support and acknowledge others?
Reflecting now will help us to show up better and more powerful as we move ahead to 2022.
How are you reflecting as you move forward? If you’re looking to make sure that 2022 holds plenty of successes for you, get in touch with me today and learn how the Maestro Mindset can help you too!
