Power of reflection: the well of knowledge
Description
Time
10-30 minsLevel
1 (out of 5)
Reflection or reflective thinking, as described by John C. Maxwell in the book “How successful people think” aims to help you gain a better understanding of the future by looking at the past. Although reflective thinking is just one out of the 11 powerful mindsets described by John, it is worthwhile reading the book to get a broader understanding on how reflection helps with 1) putting experiences into perspective, clarifying the bigger picture or 2) processing what you have discovered or learned, making memories (and feeding forward).
The Well of Knowledge is one such reflection tool, which we recommend pulling from to optimise any learning journey. This model is about figuratively diving into the deep (the four layers of the well) to better understand learnings.
Instructions
The four stages are: Repeat, Refer, Review, Reflect.
Llike a mantra you can use to guide yourself through a reflection.
First, repeat the specific situation, experience, day or period by asking yourself “what happened?”. Can you recap the facts?
Then, refer and summarise the events, calling out any specifics that stood out.
Once you review and critically evaluate all events or interactions that took place be honest with yourself and check in with your feelings: which emotions do you feel and what do they tell you?
Diving one layer deeper we can then reflect what our biggest insights are, and how these could be transformed into action for the future.
The real impact of reflection will become apparent when you are able to break through a pattern, you are actually able to apply the learnings in a new situation and real change happens.
Here are some general reflection questions to, which can offer hooks into the reflection process:
💭 What happened that affected me most?
💭 How did that make me feel?
💭 What have I learnt about myself, and how I work?
💭 What have I learnt about others?
💭 How can I apply these learnings going forward?
Here are some general reflection questions to, which can offer hooks into the reflection process:
What happened that affected me most?
How did that make me feel?
What have I learnt about myself, and how I work?
What have I learnt about others?
How can I apply these learnings going forward?
Materials // Remarks
Interestingly reflection can take place either on an individual level as well on group level. Reflecting together allows you to re-think (group) experiences and learn collaboratively. Oftentimes one person’s experience and reflection might actually inspire others or be recognized by others, which will put things in perspective differently. It helps you understand your own thoughts, values and beliefs since everyone has its own truth (your past experiences form who you are and how you put things into perspective).
Notes
2020 reflection questions
What new skills did I learn and how can they take me forward? (hard & soft skills)
What have I learnt about myself, and how I work?
Which relationships have been the most fulfilling vs. draining?
What things, people or events was I most grateful for?
What is the best thing that happened to me this year?
What challenges did I overcome?
What was an experience or moment that affected me most?
What was my highest high, and my lowest low?
What did I learn about my interests?
What has been important to me this year?
What habits or interests did I enjoy or were most beneficial?
What is something I’ve thought about doing, but never pursued?
What projects or tasks am I most proud of?
1 positive & 1 negative thing I would like to tell Miss Rona…
How did I manage my work/life balance?
What expectations did I have for myself or others?
What was my biggest mistake? How did I handle it?
Were there any insights that stood out to me?
Did I find new triggers - positive or negative - inside me?
What was the most scary experience I had?
COLLABORATION & THE FUTURE OF WORK: A GUIDE TO WORKING BETTER ANYWHERE
Curated resource with practical activities, tools, templates, frameworks, and thought-provoking articles, to fuel your enthusiasm to try out new ways of working hassle-free.
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