Reflect and Connect for Success

Learning and Change takes REFLECTION and CONNECTION! 

Reflective times

Mondays are often a day for me to reflect on the past week, especially when the weekend was somehow included and made it a package, not a bookend.  Today, this is one of my tasks: reflect on the past week and learn from it. There is a LOT to reflect on, believe me!

I am ending my time of teaching at the university (FHNW) and moving to being solely a coach and supervisor as I write. This, in itself, is a whole lot. Also, I will be taking a time out for a while this summer and need to reflect on what I choose to consider at that time. Reflection is key for learning and change.

Maybe you should begin (or end) your week with some reflection

What do you do to begin your week?  Do you look at your calendar and prepare mentally and physically for the days to come?  Do you reflect on the previous week, on what you learned and experienced?  Do you try and place all these activities, emotions and relationships into an integrated whole?  Today I am doing these very things. Or if you are an end-of-week reflector: what did you accomplish this last week and what more do you want for the following week? Do you have any end-of-the week rituals for this?

Another help: Question your assumptions

A rather important part of how I do my reflection is to look at my assumptions and decide if they are limiting me and if they are true.  I thank Nancy Kline and her books, “Time to Think” and “More Time to Think” for the following ideas for you to consider.

Time to Think

So, here goes:  What am I assuming that is stopping me (or the business) from moving forward?  Do I think the assumption is true?  What is true and liberating instead?  If I knew that the true and liberating assumption is correct, how would I go forward?

Time to Connect

But learning also means I need to connect- connect the dots and connect with others to share what I am learning.  Connecting the dots for me is how I respond to what I am learning.  What am I going to do about it?  Sometimes it takes me a while to come up with an answer to that question. Sometimes the dots are easily connected, but, sometimes, the help of a coach or supervisor can help with this process.

Time to share with others: Relationships are the key to long life and resilience

We are relational creatures, made for relationship, so sharing what we have learned is part of the learning process.  When we share, it solidifies what we now know, and it also causes us to build stronger relationships with each other. The positive relationships we have are what is going to keep us going for life. They help build long-term resilience.

So, reflect and question your assumptions.  Then think, connect the dots and share what you have learned with a close friend or two.  We will all be the better for it.

I wish you a reflective, productive, and very educational rest of your week!

Patricia Jehle                patricia@jehle-coaching.com