Don’t Neglect this Time to Reflect
We have made it to the pivotal time in the year when everyone begins to look forward to the new and exciting things to come in the upcoming year. We start planning goals and resolutions to kick off the new year positively. However, there’s one crucial thing that I don’t want you to forget to do: reflect.
The great poet Maya Angelou once said, “You can’t know where you are going until you know where you’ve been.” Reflection is a part of growth.
It allows us to do three things:
- It will enable us to give ourselves kudos for a job well done.
- It allows us to show grace and compassion towards ourselves.
- It gives us the opportunity to think about how we can be better.
Three Cheers for You!
You have worked hard this past year to make a better life for your family, yourself, and the people you work with. You need to take the time to acknowledge your hard work and sacrifices, celebrate your accomplishments, and enjoy a moment of resting in those things. There may have been obstacles you faced yet persevered through, and it’s important to honor your efforts on those things as well!
Reflect in Grace and Compassion
We can be our worst critics and sometimes our worst enemies. We will downplay our desires, diminish our efforts, dismiss our emotions, and even damage our self-esteem. (Check out my blog post: Five Simple Ways to Protect Yourself from Negative Self- Talk)
That said, sometimes you may feel that you did not get as far in your achievements as you would have liked during the year. Other outside factors could also contribute to you not doing what you originally planned. Sometimes, women tend to ruminate on negativity, and it can get easy to get down on yourself. I have been guilty of beating myself up over things of the past, but we must learn to be kind to ourselves.
You are NOT your past. You are NOT operating in perfection but proceeding towards progress. Be kind and understanding to yourself just like you would to a friend in need. This self-compassion is crucial to prevent you from becoming stuck in the muck of your past.
Better Than I Was Yesterday
I used to have a quote on my living room wall that said, “The only person you should try to be better than was the person you were yesterday.”
Self reflection takes you away from the comparison trap where you compare yourself to others and brings you into a “Past me versus Present/Future me” mentality. It allows you to think about how you can be better: better to others and yourself. Looking back with a growth mindset mentality gives you the power to say, I may not be where I want to be, but I am not where I started. As you focus on ways to grow into your future self, you can track your growth, empowering you to excel in ways you may not have thought possible!
Remember, genuine self-reflection means we must learn to accept the past, appreciate the present, and plan to move forward for a productive future.
The Power of Self Reflection
Once you understand the power of self-reflection, you will become more inspired with your ideas, more intentional with your actions, and more empowered with your life. Your perspective on life will change from believing things just happen to you to you making things happen. It’s truly a beautiful thing. Take care of yourself 🫶🏾!
Tool for Self Reflection
- Three Tools For Self Reflection: This is an excellent resource to help you discover your values and think about how you plan on moving forward in the new year.
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