#reflection #growth #leadership

Reflection is the key ingredient for self-growth, this is a known fact. However, we need to be careful and consider several factors.

There are different types of reflection:

1. The type that stimulates self-growth.

   • Think about a specific period of time or an event.
   • Notice what went well. Build self-respect and gather courage to face new challenges.
   • Notice what didn't go as planned. Find understanding and empathy for your own actions. Make a mental note to try something different next time.

2. The self-destructive type.

   • Let your inner critic dig into the past and concentrate on all the things that went wrong.
   • Start looking at areas in your life where you didn't perform optimally, and say to yourself, “It's clear what I could have done differently.” or “If I just invested more effort into that.”, without actively changing anything today.

Your mind will be jumping from one type to another, and most of us have a very strong inner critic. Find ways to calm your mind when you recognize the self-destructive type. However, also take care not to invest too much time in reflection, as this is actually using the present to think about the past, which can diminish the time you invest in your future.