Journaling and self-reflection are my jam. I’ve been doing it since my teens and wrote my first book, Evolve Your MVP all about it. Taking time to process things like how I’m handling my son’s first year of high school, relationships I want to lean into, and what aspects of my routine needs to be adjusted is just part of my DNA at this point. However, it isn’t until recently that I began using self-reflection as part of running my business. Thinking about how I’m showing up at different parts of the day, whether a system in place feels natural, or why I’m resistant to a task recommended by my business coach has been a game changer. Those insights have led to changes in my practice that has improved productivity, reduced stress and expanded my comfort zone and skill set. Not too bad for something I can do with paper and pen. But what if you’re new to self-reflection? Well, rest assured this is one practice that is easy to start. Check out 3 ways you can begin practicing self-reflection and reap the benefits for your mind and money.
- Set Aside Time Daily
Take time each day to pause and reflect on the decisions you have made and the progress you have made in achieving your goals. The days can often seem like a blur, with emails, deadlines, customers and lists that are never-ending. By the end of it all, it’s natural to want to disconnect. However, processing the events of the day and reflecting on how you handled it can lead to great insight. You can identify behaviors impacting productivity, system changes to improve efficiency and innovative ideas and strategies. Take as little as 10 minutes to ask yourself the right questions to yield better answers and outcomes. Not sure what to ask? Check out this article for tips.
2. Track Your Wins (big and small)
Regularly review your successes for insight on how to do better in the future. One great way to do this is to create a Win Wall. A Win Wall is a visual tracker of wins, both big and small. It helps to reinforce your progress and pretty much reminds you how much a of a badass you are. I have a win wall in my office that I used to do annually, but realized I forgot too many of the smaller milestones. Now I do it monthly to stay motivated and build confidence. To learn more about a Win Wall, its benefits and how to make one check out this workbook.
3. Take an Assessment
Make use of self-assessment tools and resources to gain a better understanding of yourself and how you can make improvements. This Forbes article from 2020 reported people who focus on their strengths tend to “feel more confident, self-aware and productive when focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses”. And who couldn’t use a little more of that?! The use of self-assessment tools, like the one offered by Gallup (we aren’t sponsored) has been really helpful. When brainstorming a new service or product, strategically lean into as many of strengths as possible. This way you are in your “zone of genius” and that can translate into a better a experience for your customers, profits and your stress level.
Regardless of the approach you take, self-reflection has benefits which are too impactful for an entrepreneur to pass up. Let us know what ways this practice will be the most helpful for you and your business.
