7 Benefits of Self-Reflection
Self-reflection has been the best productivity tip I have applied because it encourages me to stop and reassess instead of doing things for the sake of doing them. I get to BE!
Below are my seven benefits of self-reflection. Now for some make magic with the benefits below, I invite you to take out your favorite journal and pen for some self-reflection. Shall we?
Benefit # 1 - I get to be present.
When I take out my pen and journal, I signal my brain to switch my attention and awareness. I am pausing to either brainstorm or brain-release thoughts running through my mind. Journaling helps me clear out my mental space. And this Peruvian head has lots of ideas (lol).
Once I see my thoughts on the piece of paper, I notice a shift and lightness in my body. I get to experience the situation as they are. There is no sugar coating or denial; it states what I see and feel without judgment. It’s a pause right now, to the present moment.
Journal prompt: What do you notice around you?
Benefit # 2 - I get to be more compassionate about my pace
When I’m focused on a project, I’m intense and go all in. This is because I’m passionate about the tasks in front of me. When I self-reflect during the process, it gives me confidence in the pace of the project. It’s like swimmers who come up for air.
Setbacks are expected because that is life, and we’re not in control of others, weather, government, pandemics, etc. So writing about my reactions to these life situations helps me be proactive for when it happens again.
Journal prompt: What can you do differently when you’re interrupted?
Benefit # 3 - I get to be more optimistic
I become more optimistic when I come up with solutions to my struggles. When I focus on being a victim of my struggles, I feel STUCK. Feeling stuck is a vicious cycle of procrastination.
Again, expect setbacks and get in the habit of writing them down as struggles. I like to draw a line between “Struggles” and “Solutions.” I want to see my focus on the right side of the page. I want my words to lead me to action, which is procrastination’s worst nightmare.
Journal prompt: What can be some solutions for today’s struggle?
Benefit # 4 - I get to evolve daily
When I’m in learning mode and curious, I ask better questions about myself. When I ask better questions about myself, I get to evolve in my thinking and creativity. I like to say that my edge or superpower is my evolution. Today Patty is .25% (yes, that’s less than 1%) better than yesterday’s Patty.
I’m looking for baby steps instead of character changes that society loves to demand in the self-help and religious world. There was a time I promoted “transformations” and/or “repentance,” adding so much pressure on myself. A daily dose (.25%) adds up when you do it daily. It’s also a reminder that we’re on a journey marathon, not a sprint.
Journal prompt: What is one thing that you see differently than yesterday?
Benefit #5 - I get to feel accomplished
When I write my daily wins, I feel accomplished and content. When I was young, I thought that “Accomplishments” were degrees, certifications, etc. Today I’m growing to see it as tasks I completed, from as small as cleaning a tiny corner of the kitchen that has been ignored for months to as big as completing my first physical product on Amazon.
There is magic when I write them and see them on paper. I like to be specific because, let’s say, you intended to clean “the whole kitchen,” and you only got to your countertop and upper cabinets. Well, that’s an accomplishment! So often, we downplay the things we got right and completed.
Journal prompt: What task have you accomplished today? Be specific.
Benefit # 6 - I get to feel appreciated
When I stop reflecting on my progress, I understand my process and pace, which helps me appreciate myself. When I self-reflect, I break the old pattern of only enjoying the big projects because I have a new habit of looking at and appreciating what I’m doing right.
I like to write three things at the end of my day:
What I appreciate/what I’m grateful about me.
What I appreciate/what I’m grateful for a family member.
What I appreciate/what I’m grateful for about my company, YSuperstars.
Journal prompt: What are you most proud of in all of your tasks today? Be specific.
Benefit # 7 - I get to trust myself more.
When I’m honest, I sense a liberation that only I can see and feel. This society puts so much dependency on coaches, teachers, therapists, and other authority figures. When we get into the practice of self-reflecting, we become our guru, our guide.
You are the one going to sleep with your chatter and internal dialogue. I mean that there is no hiding the truth of your feelings, your guide. Your feelings matter because you matter. Your feelings are signals; they are your compass.
Journal prompt: What are you feeling today?
In conclusion, for me, self-reflection on a piece of paper has more benefits than talking things out with a loved one. I’m learning that I’m responsible for my feelings and actions at the end of the day. Below is an old video on Self-Reflection.
I’ll love to hear which benefit resonates with you the most, and the other benefits for you personally. Please share in the comment box below and share this post with a friend!
Love,
Me.
