The year 2020 has changed the way people work and live forever. The coronavirus pandemic has forced millions across the world to switch to remote work to stem the spread of the virus.
The lockdown also gave us more time to think about things than ever before. Many of us took this time to assess how far we’ve come, identify new opportunities and evaluate our strengths and weaknesses.
But here’s what we didn’t expect. Self-reflection may have also led us to discover things about ourselves that we wouldn’t otherwise have noticed.
Self-reflection teaches us unexpected things about ourselves; it helps us refine existing skills and, in the process, learn new ones. We’re able to evaluate just how well we’re doing in our life. Let’s discuss the meaning of self-reflection and how a reflection about yourself will help you gather new information to understand yourself better.
What Is Self-Reflection?
Self-reflection means thinking about who we are and what we want from life. If you’re simply going through the motions, you won’t be able to appreciate your journey or make changes for improvement. (Ativan) Instead of waiting for someone else to tell you that you’re good or bad at something, self-reflection will help you get there yourself and with more insight.
Make Self-Reflection A Habit
Something most of us are guilty of is being too hard on ourselves. We beat ourselves up over things like not doing well enough at work and not making time for those closest to us. This is where reflecting, introspecting and thinking retrospectively will help you overcome your mental barriers.
When you’re open to change, you can make real progress and accept yourself the way you are. The first step in this process is self-reflection. It means that you’re aware of your abilities and your shortcomings. Making self-reflection a habit is important for your personal development. Let’s explore some avenues for reflection about personal development:
1. Journaling
Many people turn to their diaries—print or digital—to jot down their thoughts, feelings and emotions. Journaling can be really satisfying and it makes you come closer to who you are as a person. Something that seemed complex, like meeting a friend after seven years, might have been something you thoroughly enjoyed. Journaling helps you process your feelings and learn new things about yourself. It’s like talking to someone who’s a really good listener.
2. Change Your Environment
A change of scene can help you put things into perspective. A lot of people move to different cities for work to be independent. Freelancers and consultants often like to work in a co-working space because it gives them a sense of belonging which is difficult to achieve when working alone at home. A change in environment can help you see things differently and even boost your energy levels.
3. Try New Things
Incorporate new habits that are unrelated to your work. This could be reading, writing, painting, cooking or singing. You’ll understand your likes and dislikes which will help you develop a sense of self.
Why is it important to understand the meaning of self-reflection? It’s because of how well you’re able to reflect on your mistakes and learn from them. Additionally, you’ll be able to strengthen your relationships with people because you become aware of how your words and actions impact others.
Harappa Education’s Learning Expertly course will teach you important frameworks like Kolb’s Cycle which highlights how you learn from experience and inexperience by acquiring new knowledge. Make your personal and professional development a priority by enrolling today!
Explore topics such as Learning From Experience, Learning Process, Kolb's Learning Styles & Learn Unlearn and Relearn from our Harappa Diaries blog section.