What is Self-reflection and How to Do It
Taking the time to contemplate has become somewhat of a lost art. Unfortunately, most of us live lives that we haven't explored that much; This isn't supposed to be the situation. Self-reflection is one of the most valuable things you can have.
What is self-reflection, exactly? How are we supposed to put it into practice?
What Is Self-Reflection?
Self-reflection is a mental process that allows you to know better who you are, your values, and why you think, feel, and act the way you do. When you reflect on yourself and become more aware of your motivations, you may more readily make adjustments that will help you develop yourself or enhance your life.
Why is self-reflection critical?
It can help you gain perspective.
Self-reflection allows you to stand back, engage in introspection, and get perspective on what is most important to you. Consequently, you'll be able to make more informed judgments about pursuing life objectives that meet your requirements and interests.
It can assist you in making more effective responses.
We may more easily make changes that allow us to respond to circumstances more effectively when we understand who we are and why we do what we do. Hopefully, this will prevent us from saying or doing things that we later regret.
It helps us better understand ourselves and possibly others
Self-reflection can assist you in discovering who you are at your core. As a result, you'll have an easier time finding yourself, pursuing your mission, and being more authentic.
How to do self-reflection?
Find a method that works for you
We're aware that many blog entries and self-help advice out there recommend activities for self-reflection.
However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to living an examined life. Journaling with an old-fashioned pen and paper helps me a lot. On the other hand, my friend finds that daily meditation practice has the same effect. Many people find that keeping a gratitude notebook helps them reflect on their lives.
The sole purpose of self-reflection is to cause you to pause and consider your life from afar. It makes little difference which activity you use to accomplish this. It may take some trial and error at first, but you will eventually find an activity that you enjoy that helps you with self-reflection. Just keep doing what you're doing.
Make a schedule
Setting aside time for self-reflection can help you hold yourself accountable for putting this critical leadership skill into practice. Porter recommends beginning with 10 minutes.
You'll be able to reflect for longer lengths of time as your self-reflection talents improve. Whether the exercise lasts 10 minutes or an hour requires dedication to be effective. If you commit to the discipline of self-reflection, you'll be well on your way to becoming a better leader.
Evaluate your day before sleeping
Evaluation before you go to sleep, is a simple technique that can be beneficial. Every night before you go to bed, go over your entire day - what you did, who you met, your thoughts, and the decisions you made; This is the most straightforward technique to ensure that you engage in daily self-reflection. Narrating your entire day to yourself will help you identify the unconsciously held negative ideas, unhealthy reactions, and self-limiting beliefs.
It helps if you look at everything you did through the eyes of a third party: Why did you behave in that manner? Why were you constantly worrying about the future rather than being present in the moment? Were you sarcastically speaking to yourself? On days when you don't have time to practice writing, meditate, or do your primary self-reflection activity, this small exercise can help you stay on track.
Track your progress
The most powerful motivator for any habit is seeing how it has improved your life. I added self-reflection to my habit tracker, and every day that I mark it off gives me a slight boost to return the next day.
You could see intangible growth as a sign of progress. Perhaps you've noticed that your mind has been lighter since you began self-reflection. Maybe you've noticed that you're growing out of negative self-talk and becoming more compassionate to yourself. Perhaps you were successful in achieving your objectives.
Tracking your improvement in whatever method you notice keeps your motivation afloat. With practice, self-reflection becomes easier. But it's still challenging to go on bad days. It is simpler to conduct something "useful" that generates measurable results. But keep in mind that taking time for yourself is just as beneficial. It can help you improve your mental health, clarify your behaviors, and live a more meaningful life.
Try these tips if you want to be a better version of yourself. Then, learn more advice for any self-development topics and consult with us! Also, follow us at Instagram @baikgp and @ayureadypodcast for more information and extra insights!