Socrates famously said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
What is the quality of your thoughts and your breath today?
Through which lens are you looking at yourself, the people around you, and the world? Maybe it's through a tired lens after a long week, or a cynical lens after life has thrown so many curveballs in the past year.
Whatever it may be, give yourself the space to see fully through that lens. And then ask yourself whether or not it's serving you. If not, what are some things you can do to clean the glass or maybe swap out your pair of specs? Oftentimes how reactive or irritable we stem from a root cause.
While it's not as easy to change our mindset as putting on a different pair of sunglasses, take a few moments today to self-reflect.
Give yourself space and love - maybe a little tough love, perhaps a little extra gentleness - whatever you need to feel the feelings but not dwell in them. Even if it feels hopeless, you can always change the lens! It just might take a little extra time, intentionality, and elbow grease.
Self-reflection can come in many forms, including meditation. Studies show that self-reflection, be it meditation or otherwise, is a powerful method to reduce stress and enable people in leadership positions to make better decisions.
Here are a few ways to start practicing self-reflection.
HOW TO START A SELF-REFLECTION PRACTICE
1. Schedule self-reflection into your day.
2. Prepare questions to ask yourself during self-reflection
3. Choose your method (meditation, walking, running, cooking)
4. Find what works for you.
Additional tip! Here are some questions you may want to consider asking yourself during your time alone.
Am I maintaining emotional intelligence with my team?
Am I communicating as clearly and concisely as I think?
Am I getting stressed over things I can’t control?
Talking to a therapist is another excellent way to become more self-aware.
They can help you understand yourself by answering difficult questions or questions you are scared even to ask yourself.
Remember, though it can feel like finding the time is difficult, prioritizing time to self-reflect is so important.
In fact, making time to regularly self-reflect is a step towards becoming a better version of yourself.
