In December, we normally get some so-called downtime. Typically we use that time to prepare files for the new year, set goals or resolutions, tidy the office and re-set schedules and generally catch up. And most importantly, switch off and just think instead of “do”.

But last year, I have found out that many did not take the time to do that. Some, because Christmas fell on a Saturday and so they worked right up to and straight after the “weekend Christmas” and some because the last two years have been so tumultuous they didn’t see any point.

I would suggest this was a mistake. Because what we don’t do often enough is schedule time for ourselves for reflection. Schedule time to just think…no digital devices, just you and a pad and pen in a quiet area, preferably with a great view.

It seems we just don’t allow enough time for “thinking”. Time to reflect on the good and bad of what’s been going on and learn from it. In our digital world, our focus is more on “doing” rather than “thinking”. We have become more tactical rather than strategic.

Last year I was listening to one of Simon Sinek’s “A Bit of Optimism” podcasts and he spoke about how in the digital era, we seldom allow time for ‘downtime”. It resonated with me, as he spoke about how even when walking the dog, we would be listening to the news, a podcast or music, but never allowing silence. It reminded me that I did that. He talked about our creative side of the brain needing some rest and reflection. He’s right.

So I would suggest, even though we are already in February, we have the chance to change that. It’s an opportunity to start a practice that will help us think and reflect about opportunities that may have been missed and how we could improve on them.

Let’s think back over the previous year from January forward. Treat it like a review of a movie and this movie stars you as the main character. What role were you playing each month, who were the supporting characters and what were the twists in the plot?

One way that helps me with this exercise is to print my calendar by month for the last year and scan through it noting the main events in each month and putting my narrative in the movie around that.

What I find are trends, themes, mistakes, victories and several hero’s and villains. Reprising the movie gives me the opportunity to write a new script. I make a note of the supporting characters and start hatching a new plot.

But this should not be a one time exercise. Time for reflection should be practised regularly, weekly, quarterly and annually. Schedule time for “Clarity Breaks”. They can be one hour, several hours or even days. I know people who go to a cabin on their own for 1 or 2 days and just spend their own time just thinking, writing and organizing with no digital connection.

Learning from the past is important. The best athletes do it all the time. They reflect, learn and re-set. So should we.

 

 

 

Photo by Sage Friedman on Unsplash