If you want to achieve any goal, improve yourself or advance your skills, you need to understand 3 things clearly: what you want to achieve, where you are now and how you can bridge the gap between them.
The best way to truly understand this is through self-reflection. Simply put, self-reflection is meditating on your character, actions, and motives. It is all about taking a step back and reflecting on your life, and what is most important to you.
If we don’t invest in this style of reflection, we keep moving forward in life, without giving ourselves the chance to truly grow. This causes us to stay in jobs we hate, in relationships that zap our energy and in circumstances that cause us stress or anxiety.
Being mindfully aware of where you are going ensures you don’t end up somewhere far away from where you want to be. So, bring self-reflection into your goal-setting process and kick start your personal growth with these 6 simple habits.
6 habits of self-reflection:
1. Be honest and non-judgemental
Self-reflection always begins with honesty. If you aren’t able to be 100% honest and non-judgemental about how things are going and how you are behaving, then reflecting on your strengths and weaknesses will be impossible. Remember, the purpose of reflection is growth, it’s not to beat yourself up. So, try to approach it with a neutral and honest attitude.
2. Uncover your core values
Take time to consider what is most important to you and uncover your core values. In doing so you are able to evaluate whether or not your actions, thoughts and even goals are ringing true to those values.
3. Take note of any patterns
Once you’ve started taking stock of your thoughts, behaviours and where you are at this moment, you will notice certain patterns. This is because we are all creatures of habit, some of which are helpful and others that are not. It’s good to be aware of these patterns and habits so you can actively work towards the ones that are serving you, your values and your goals.
4. Be kind to yourself
Change and self-growth aren’t easy. Be kind with yourself when you don’t get it right and remember that mistakes and mishaps are just stepping stones on the way to a more fulfilled and happier you.
5. Keep track
Start a self-reflection journal to record your thoughts, observation and monitor your personal growth. This will help you consolidate your thoughts and keep them all in one place, which can be a wonderful reference point for the future.
6. Look to the future
Self-reflection is about understanding where you are at the moment, however, it is also a great way to help keep you on track to where you want to be. In his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey advises us to ‘begin with the end in mind.’ Which means that with every new day, task, or project you must have a clear vision of your desired direction. Looking to the future and beginning with the end in mind is also an important part of self-reflection, as it helps you stay on track.
We all need to step back from the daily grind from time to time to reflect. By cultivating a habit of self-reflection, you can accelerate your personal growth and make sure you’re on the right track for you. What are some revelations you’ve had from self-reflection? Tell us in the comments below.
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