Reflective Writing Practice: Knowing What You Know Now
Reflective Writing Practice: Knowing What You Know Now
As we step into a new year, it’s natural to reflect on the past and think about what we would do differently. For years, I have found value in engaging in a reflective writing practice by writing a letter as though it is 5 years from now. This letter includes details about where I live, my lifestyle, my work accomplishments, my personal achievements, and my family life. It is written as though these things have already happened. For instance, “I just love sitting out on my deck listening to the breeze on the water while I sip my coffee. I am reflecting on how strong my team is and how they work their lanes completely with full accountability. This is largely due to the great QD4HP™️ we have in place with their IAP™️. So each person knows what to work on and how to grow without a lot of hand-holding.”
The Power of Reflective Writing Practice
Writing out specific desired outcomes helps manifest them. This phenomenon is due to the power of the brain. When your brain locks into something, it becomes highly attuned to it. Think about the last time you got a new car. Suddenly, you see that car or its color everywhere. It’s not that they didn’t exist before; it’s that your brain didn’t notice them because they didn’t matter to it. This is the essence of a reflective writing practice.
Experimenting with Reflective Writing
I encourage you to try this reflective writing practice for the new year. Think of someone you want to change your relationship with and focus on what you will do differently to improve that relationship. It might involve asking them more questions about their life or considering how you can make it easier for them when you pass off work. You could also sit down with a department and ask, “When my team hands over this request to you, walk me through what you have to do on your end to complete it.” You may discover that one small change on your part can significantly ease their workload.
Real-Life Example
For example, we had a situation where two teams had internal conflicts and a lot of finger-pointing over mistakes. They sat down and did the above exercise, and one team realized that the way they were sharing data required the other team to retype it, leading to more mistakes. The first team simply changed the data format so it could be cut and pasted, resulting in greater efficiency and accuracy.
Applying Reflective Writing to Improve Relationships
As you embark on this new year, consider how you can apply this reflective writing practice to improve your relationships and workflows. Share your experiences and let us know how this exercise has changed your relationship with an individual or a team.