History tends to repeat itself unless we are paying attention.
For decades, I have invested the early days of January to stroll back through the past 52 weeks. The objective is to capture substantial moments in the Story, destined to be lost, unless we intentionally capture the highlights.
This disciplined approach helps accelerate personal growth and I call it …
The Best Predictor of Future Success
The ability and willingness to learn and change
achieved through consistent reflection on
truth found in the Story.
Celebration, Conviction, and Commitment
Take for example an email I received from a client. In a brief statement I had a cause for celebration, a bit of conviction, and a renewed commitment when he wrote …
As the holidays are drawing to a close, it’s been a great time to take inventories and celebrate what was a great 2012 and look forward to the possibilities and milestones for 2013. I greatly appreciate your contribution to my story and look forward to the exciting times that lie ahead.
I celebrated knowing he created space to “take inventories and celebrate” the past year, I felt some conviction because I know the value of this discipline (but have been delayed) and therefore, it was about my commitment: Steve, are you going to let this practice slip away?
While the ritual is tied to bringing in the New Year, it’s not too late to create the space and take the stroll. Creating space is simply the disciplined use of time, place and resources to listen to the Story for truth. Truth, in this application is reality, the facts known as feedback, experience, success, and failure.
Leaders Create Space
First assignment, create space for yourself, then for others. Remember the flight attendant’s instructions regarding the oxygen mask on a commercial jet.
Creating space for consistent reflection combines at least three things:
- Time – When will you set the appointment to reflect, think, review, and remember? You may want to start with 10-15 minutes. If reviewing 2012 it may require several sessions.
- Place – Where can you go to minimize the distractions and interruptions?
- Resources – Where do you capture your thoughts and life lessons? For a yearly review you may want your calendar or journal. Use the questions I provided or ask your own. The goal is to explore the Story using open-ended questions starting with Who? What? How? When? Where? And then capture your insights.
Three questions to guide your Story review
Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful. – Margaret J. Wheatley
Are you in? Will you “go blindly on your way” or schedule some time to review your 2012 Story? If you are ready to create space, here are three questions to guide your reflection, enjoy listening.
- What and who will you celebrate? Gratitude and appreciation.
- Where do you want/need change? Where are you getting in your own way?
- What commitments will you make? What support do you need to get there?
Please leave a comment on your experience or if you have a question on the process I’m eager to help. Here’s to your continued personal success!
THE PEOPLE PROJECT:
Your Guide to Changing Behavior and Growing Your Influence as a Leader
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