10 Ideas for Reflection and Action

The end of one year and the beginning of another provides an opportunity to reflect backward and take action forward.

Here are some ideas to make the most of your reflection and action planning time.

1. Ask yourself what went well over the past year. (reflection)
We move so fast we forget to pause and think about the accomplishments we've had.  Take a moment to think about what went well this past year.  At work, home, school.  Make a list of what went well.

2. Identify one mistake and think about how you have learned from it. (reflection)
Mistakes must be made for learning to take place. What did you fail forward at this past year? What did you learn from it?


3. Identify one thing you would do differently if the opportunity presented itself again. (reflection)
Hindsight is 20/20. An overused term that always seems to fit so well. Did anything happen this year that, if you were to do it again, you would do it differently? Does it have to do with another person? Do you have the opportunity to make a second chance happen and do things differently? Maybe it was an event that you’ll be more prepared for the next time the situation comes up.


4. Identify one of your best moments in the year. Describe it. How did you feel? What were some of the contributing factors making it the best moment?(reflection)
Narrow down what went well to your best moment in the year. Is it hard to decide? Maybe, one big event clearly stands out. Either way, think about that instance in your life. What or who contributed to the situation? How did it make you feel? How do you feel thinking about it now?


5. Identify one of your worst moments in the year. Describe it. How did you feel? What were some of the contributing factors making it the worst moment?(reflection)
And now for something completely different… You can learn by reflecting what has worked as well as what has not worked. Take a look at one of your worst moment this year. What brings out the worst in you? How did it make you feel?


6. Identify at least one thing you will start doing as a result of the reflection you’ve done(action)
Reflection can help identify what should be in your life that is currently missing. What is that for you? What should you start doing?


7. Identify one thing you will stop doing as a result of the reflection you’ve done (action)br/> Reflection also helps us see what is in our lives that are not necessary, what we waste time on, and what doesn’t contribute to our health and happiness. Can you identify something you should stop doing as a result of your reflection? What needs to happen in order for you to really stop?


8. Eliminate a “shoulda, woulda, or coulda” that is part of your life. (action)
How many times have you said, “I should have done...” or “if only I would have...” ? We are all guilty now and then. Now is the time to eliminate those “shoulda, woulda, coulda” statements that can become a heavy weight on your shoulders. Can you take the steps to eliminate one of these from your life?


9. Identify at least one thing you will change based on the reflection you’ve done (action)
Sometimes it is not about starting or stopping, but merely shifting or changing. Upon reflecting did you see something that could be changed to make you a better you? If you make the change, what do you forsee as the result? What is it costing you to not change?


10. Commit to doing something that allows you to contribute to the world around you in a bigger way. (action)
What is your contribution to the world in which you live? Not the whole entire worlWhat is your contribution to the world in which you live? Not the whole entire world; just your world; the people, things, events that make up your life. Is there something you can do to raise your own bar? Contribute is a bigger way. Giving to your world is giving to yourself. It will come back to you in wondrous ways.

Spend time reflecting on this past year and planning for the action to be taken as you move into next year. If you need help thinking through this for your self or as an organization, we’re here.

Written by Jennifer Mounce, President, Coach Effect. Coach Effect is a coaching, consulting and development firm focused on engaging employees through leadership and organizational effectiveness. For more information, please contact us.