Reflective Thinking

Reflective Thinking is the consistent art of evaluating experience to repeat successes and avoid repeating failures.

 How does it work?

Consistently taking time daily, weekly, and annually to evaluate experiences and ask:

• What do I feel?
• What do I think?
• What do I know?

 Reflective Thinking in action:

In his research with top brands like Verizon and Xerox, management consultant Daniel Patrick Forrester discovered some profound and concerning data about the hard cost and mental cost leaders pay when they don’t make Reflective Thinking part of their regular routine. He found that the average leader spends only 5% of her day reflecting.

• 28% — Interruptions (non-urgent or important items, email messages, and the time it takes to get back on task)
• 25% — Productive content creation (including writing email messages)
• 20% — Meetings (in person, by phone, by video, and online)
• 15% — Searching through content, like the Web, digital communications, and paperwork
• 5% — Reflecting

According to Forrester, “650 billion dollars is lost each year because we don’t give ourselves time for reflection, and this stems from our aversion to being alone with our thoughts. We need to take back control by taking time for personal and professional reflection.”

 Do it now:

Make time at the end of every day for one week to answer these questions:

• What do I feel?
• What do I think?
• What do I know?

Wise words on Reflective Thinking:

“No one can produce great things who is not thoroughly sincere in dealing with himself.” – James Russell Lowell