Reflection

Perhaps the most powerful tool we have by which to improve ourselves and our organizations is reflection.  That act, a function of the prefrontal cortex of the brain, is one of those things that makes us humans so unique.  We can.  Other species can't.   

Reflection is best done with discipline.  That purposeful looking back - on our actions, our strategies, our behaviors, our decisions, our results - is a robust tool by which we can formulate those all-important next steps.

Either as an individual or as a team we can (and should) schedule time regularly to ask a few very simple questions:

• What am I (are we) trying to accomplish?
• Are the goals I/we have chosen truly worthy? 
• What habits do I/we have that contribute to achieving those goals?
• What habits do I/we have that inhibit achieving those goals?
• What do I/we need to learn next?

Questions of this nature trigger some deep thinking and dialogue, which helps us stay grounded in what's important.

But only if we pause long enough to ask the questions, do the thinking, and engage in the dialogue.