One of the most important reflection exercises you can and should do on a regular basis is to consider the causes behind your current results.  As we near the end of another year, one of the critical times to perform this reflective exercise is once again upon us.  At other times of a year it may be OK to reflect in this way with less vigour but this end of a year ritual should be performed with earnest resolve.

How do you go about it?

The workings of this reflective process are rather simple.  List all the results you are getting across all the important aspects of your life.  Analyse each result using the 5xWhy technique.  Get to the root causes and then mindfully decide to stop, continue or change what you are doing.

Times have changed but time has not changed.  Watches made in the 1950’s still tick away at the same pace as modern watches do.  One of the results of the above reflection is almost certainly going to have its roots in the realm of rush.  Most people are rushing round chasing their tails.  Notice how even older people, who used to be known for driving slowly, will flash you to move out of their way to speed past at speeds well over the prescribed limits.

The Blame Game

The need to rush is blamed on the fast pace of life but remember that time has not changed.  We have changed in this regard and this change is not adding much positive value to our lives.  Important things are being neglected.  Planning, relaxing, reviewing, meeting face-to-face, thinking and even learning have been pushed aside due to a belief that there is simply not the time.

Please set the time aside

Set the time aside to consider better ways to approach next year, to reflect in detail on the year that is coming to an end and most of all to proactively strengthen your personal and business foundations on which to build better results.

I will leave you to consider some timeless advice:

Engage your team – “Many hands make light work”

Get someone to challenge your default thinking – “There are none as blind as those who will not see”

Take time out to think and to plan – “If you fail to plan you plan to fail”

Use your brain – “Get your lift to go to the top floor”

Slow down – “The more the rush the less the speed”

Stay grounded while thinking BIG – “Keep your feet on the ground and reach for the stars”

Don’t struggle alone – “Ask and ye shall receive”

Get your mind right – “The fish always rots from the head”

Use time wisely – “Time waits for no man”

Do the right things now – “It is never too late to make a change”

Back yourself – “Valour favours the brave”

Be happy – “Smile and the world smiles with you”

Think you can – “Where there is a will there is a way”

START – “All great journeys start with one step”

Be proactive – “The greatest defence is a strong offence”

I now invite you to choose a guiding light from the above list for your 2019 year.

As a result you may just …………………………………..

By Louis Gerke

Development Facilitator – The Ripple Effect

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