This blog is about how reflection can enrich your life. You will read what self-reflection is, and get five benefits for using it.
Let’s start by asking a question…be honest, when was the last time you were lost in your thoughts, and therefore time seemed to run away with you?
We rarely slow down, let alone consider the importance or understanding of the benefits that self-reflection can bring to our lives. Nowadays, everything is rushed, and we tend to get lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Therefore, it’s important to reflect regularly, so that you can learn from mistakes and failures and remember why you succeeded. By reflecting, you will be more aware of your behaviour, and that will help you take smarter decisions in the future.
What is self-reflection?
“By three methods we may learn wisdom: first by reflection, which is the noblest, second by imitation which is easiest, and third by experience, which is the bitterest” – Confucius.
In simple terms, self-reflection (or internal reflection) is the process of taking the time to consider our thoughts, feelings and actions neutrally. Not just remembering, but seriously analysing events.
Then, you can understand your motives, behaviour and thought process. By focusing your mind on what is happening in your life in a mindful way it is possible to achieve greater self-awareness. By gaining a better understanding of your inner self, by reviewing how you respond to situations or events.
Geil Browning, Ph.D. (founder and CEO of Emergenetics International), explains that reflection is a deep form of learning. It allows us to analyse all aspects of an experience to understand why it happened and what impact it has on our life.
Methods of self-reflection
“There is no greater journey than the one that you must take to discover all of the mysteries that lie within you” Michelle Sandlin
There is no right or wrong way to organize your thoughts and breakthrough confusion or frustration. Here are some examples: Writing your thoughts down is a tried and tested method of navigating events, feelings and motivations. Others prefer to take a long walk or meditate. The important takeaway is that you need to make the effort to feel the benefits.
Five benefits with how Reflection Can Enrich Your Life
“Change requires two things: a goal, and an awareness of where one currently is in order to assess the discrepancy between the two” – Psychology Today
Here are some of the many benefits of practising self-reflection…
1 Gain a clear perspective
We all do things that annoy people and vice versa, and it is easy to become emotional, overwhelmed or upset when we make a mistake or become annoyed with friends. But if we can take time to reflect on past events and analyse why you reacted in a certain way.
Then you can often see the bigger picture, and accept what cannot be changed. Thereby, gaining a clear perspective of your own motivations and others, and understanding how to act more appropriately in the future.
2 Learn from your mistakes
Lack of self-reflection means you will blindly plough on with your life without thinking about your actions or consequences. That is not conducive to happiness for you or anyone else. Everyone makes mistakes, which is OK, you are only human, and this is how we learn.
But imagine, next time you make a mistake, you focus on how to learn from your mistakes, by reflecting on the situation and understanding what happened. Instead of beating yourself up, take your mistake or failure as a lesson and move on.
3 Track change and celebrate success
Taking the time and effort to reflect upon situations that you have experienced or are currently experiencing, allows you to look back and see how far you have come. You can feel proud that gaining a better understanding of your goals, values and emotions has allowed you to learn from your mistakes and move on. In time, you can look back and wonder why you are so upset or worried about something that seems so insignificant.
4 Overcoming self-doubt
Most of us look back on uncomfortable situations and blame ourselves when bad things happen. We are convinced that we do the most annoying things and blame our perceived weaknesses.
Yet, by allowing time for reflection, analysing more objectively, you may find that you believe you are not inconsequential, embarrassing, weak or overemotional as you tell yourself. It could also help write down your reflections.
5 Free your mind
Have you ever wondered why the best music or art is born out of pain and suffering? Artists need passion on their hearts, but they also need to dig deep to bring forth their greatest ideas. Self-reflection is a crucial element in success.
When you reflect upon a difficult event that happened in the past, you look back with it in a more nuance and less emotional way. Having gained distance also makes it easier to accept what happened and understand why.
When an awkward situation is analysed, it often doesn’t feel so difficult anymore. You may also realize that you have learned a lot, you feel better, lighter and freer.
Reflecting on what’s going on in your life gives you the insight to overcome perceived limitations that may have held you back, and gain a greater understanding of events around you. With regular self- reflection, you can make the most of each day and add more joy to your everyday life. That is why reflection can enrich your life.
Would you like to know more about self-reflection?
If you would like to find out more about the positive effects of taking time out for reflection, learning from your mistakes and the importance of celebrating your successes, contact Ulla Lilliehook now.
