Over the last several weeks we explored a process for goal setting and goal achievement. One question remains.
How do you know if your actions are the best actions you could have taken?
You don’t. In fact, most actions are neither 100% correct or 100% incorrect. Our actions have differing levels of effectiveness. In most cases, there are better or worse actions that could have been taken.
This single reason makes a personal reflection process very important. The few minutes spent each day in reflection accumulate over a lifetime into a wealth of knowledge. We improve exponentially faster by evaluating our experiences, not just by having an experience.
There is no magic formula for reflection. Some people may need only five minutes in a quiet place to think about the events of the day. Other people may write their thoughts in a journal. It may be that using a calendar system to take notes throughout the day works best for some people.
Each of us must discover the best method, the best time, and the best place for reflection. But for all of us, it is most effective when we make it a daily habit. If you can build it into your normal routine, it will pay huge dividends. The benefit compounds over time.
If it is not one of your habits, there is no better time to start then today.