The winter solstice will be at 4:48 on December 21st. This is the longest night of the year. Plants go dormant, animals hibernate, snow lays a quiet blanket over the land. This is a good time for stepping out of the fast lane and giving yourself time for reflection.
I recommend keeping a journal, but it is not necessary to foster reflection.
When you are ready, ask yourself:
- What happened?
- So what?
- Now what?
Research shows the habit of reflection can separate extraordinary professionals from mediocre ones. The practice is all about learning and looking back (without bias or regret) to contemplate our behavior and its consequences. It requires sitting with ourselves, taking an honest moment to think about what transpired, what worked, what didn’t, what can be done, and what can’t. Reflection requires courage. It’s thoughtful and deliberate.
Research by Bailey & Rehman released earlier this year found three themes from survey respondents (442 executives) regarding effective business reflection.
- Surprise
Several respondents expressed "shock" at colleagues’ reactions or business analytics that were not consistent with their expectations. What signs have you overlooked? - Failure
Mistakes provide evidence of what NOT to do in the future. Wise people have recommended that we "learn from our mistakes" for millennia. How are you using your mistakes to learn? - Frustration
What frustrates you? Missed deadlines are often opportunities for process improvements, additional resources and/or better communication. How does this apply to your organization?
The winter solstice invites us to go within and explore ourselves, reflect, and take inventory. It is a perfect time for planning and deciding what you are ready to release and what seeds of intention you will want to plant for your future. It is a good idea to write in a journal because you can come back to it at a later time and reflect on your personal growth. Gift yourself quiet moments and inward reflection. It makes room for you to welcome in the positive energy that will follow.
How will you use the long nights of winter?
SWB Consulting Services is a Nonprofit Lifecycles™ Consultant prepared to help you sort through your winter reflections and make a good plan for the future. Contact us for a complimentary consultation.
Resources
Harvard Business Review - Don’t Underestimate the Power of Self-Reflection
Independent - Winter Solstice: The Perfect Time for Reflection and Release
The University of Edinburgh - What? So what? Now what?
Nonprofit Lifecycles Institute
