Often, the pressure of what's in front of us right now obscures the progress made, the lessons learned, the successes earned, and the opportunities ahead. The immediate and urgent too easily pushes these things aside unless we deliberately pause to think intentionally about progress, lessons and possibilities. This is why reflection, though often neglected, is so valuable to sustaining our success - individually and collectively.
For this reason ask yourself the following five questions:
- What's becoming clearer?
Clarity helps us focus and helps us focus others. But clarity isn't a given, and we often have to start things with a necessarily fuzzy vision. Over time, things become clearer - if you are paying attention. Old "realities" alter and new directions emerge. It's true that we act our way into learning - but the learning requires that we make the effort to reflect on our actions and their results.
- What question needs resolving?
Emerging clarity notwithstanding, some questions remain and new ones emerge as projects unfold, as teams mature and as priorities shift. Questions are an essential part of effective leadership and learning - but they need to be asked to have effect. Questions direct our attention and focus our thinking - often in new and revealing ways that open up new possibilities.
- What do you have the most energy for?
It's common to feel a bit weary, especially when business is challenging, cutbacks are occurring or deadlines are looming. As the months go by, we accumulate more and more things to do. It can get a bit overwhelming. The reality is that none of us has limitless energy. So it's wise to channel your energies into the high value, high return and high importance activities you're responsible for. Again, some brief reflection can help you clarify your priorities and determine where and how best to apply your energy. Consider leadership writer John Maxwell's advice to work through the 3Rs: what's required of me, what gives the highest return, and what's gives the highest reward? These questions can help renew your efforts and reinvigorate your energy.
- What action do you need to take?
One thing that many people discover along life's path is that it's easy for you to "get in your own way" - to unwittingly hold yourself back through your own behaviours. For example, people in leadership roles may limit their effectiveness by focusing too much on their own efforts and achievement, and not enough on the achievements and development of those they lead. You can easily hold yourself back by ignoring, avoiding or simply not being aware of the most important actions you need to take. Denial is natural, confronting reality is harsh, but necessary. Sometimes the "wake up call" comes via feedback or a setback. Sometimes it can come from an insight gained from intentional conversation or a learning experience. The key is your response: what action do you take as a result of the insight gained? What's the high value, high importance action you need to take to move forward?
- What advice do you need to give yourself?
The final question about the advice you need to give yourself can be a revealing and liberating reflection. Many talented, successful people have confronted this question. Their reactions broadly fall into two categories:
- "I instantly knew what it was"
- "That's a really hard question"
But the answers tend to be roughly the same in nature: an acknowledgement that they know and have known but have been avoiding or ignoring something not too complicated but fundamental. It might be that "I need to change my job", "I need to back myself", "I need to get fit", "I need to have that conversation", "I need to get over it", or "I need to just get on with it" ... but it's usually not too complicated, and sometimes obvious to people close to them.
While these questions are useful in an immediate planning or development context, they can also be of value in a wider context for reinforcing and sustaining success. Use these five questions to reflect on your progress made and lessons learned.