Reflection? Who Has Time For Reflection?
Reflecting on the past year is a great way to gear up for the new year. A chance to review, to understand, to benefit from what we’ve learned.
But who has time for any of that?
We All Do
Because we have to. I now understand that on a very personal level.
The last 12+ months have been filled with major life lessons. A big one:
The best time to take a deep breath is when you don’t have time for one.
Conceptually, I understood the need for distance to see things clearly. In reality, I was always full steam ahead, the less stops the better.
So What Changed?
My wife said, “Enough.” Enough late nights at the office, enough putting work first (among other things).
I was stunned. Like I was on the wrong end of an RT+Y Takedown.
That conversation kicked off a year-long quest to understand myself and my various roles; how and why I was succeeding or failing in them; and what I wanted to do (or could do) about any of it.
Is That Process Done Yet?
No, I’m not “done” yet, and probably won’t ever be.
But I’m better off now than I was a year ago: marriage, career, personally, physically, spiritually…
And none of that would’ve happened without a frying pan to the head that made me stop, and reflect, before I did did did. (Thanks, Sarah.)
Some Things To Think About
I’ve found these questions apply to business and real life…
- What were my goals last year?
- What am I most proud of achieving last year?
- What actions did I take, what strengths did I use, to achieve them?
- What was most challenging last year?
- How did I grow as a result of meeting those challenges?
- What am I most grateful for?
- To whom am I most grateful — and have I shown them my gratitude?
- What do I want to accomplish in the next year?
- What am I willing to do to make those accomplishments a reality?
- Who can I rely on for support?
- What’s the first step to achieving that first goal?
The unexamined life isn’t worth living, right? So… what are you thinking?
Keep The Good Times Rolling!
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