Reflection Catapults Your Strategic Plan Far Further Than You Realize
Posted by Goody on 02/7/08 in Business
Strategic planning demands higher order thinking skills. One of these skills is reflection. By taking the time to look back and review past experiences, individuals can better project future outcomes.
Reflection is a proactive thought process. By taking the time to think and not just reacting to circumstances, individuals are not in much better control of their future behaviors. These planned future behaviors then dictate current behaviors.
Unfortunately, the quality of reflection necessary within the strategic planning process is not embraced by many people. This failure may be because of not knowing how or being conditioned not to think.
To be able to reflect also requires dedicated time for self-reflection. The entrepreneur, small business owner, Level C executive, independent contractors such as real estate agents to commission sales people need to set time aside for self-reflection.
Also, this time needs to be scheduled at regular intervals. To be effective reflection of the business through self-reflection by each individual cannot be a one time shot or sporadic attempts at best. Reflection is a habit and creates a continuum of thought that builds upon each reflective activity.
Being able to be objective is also necessary during reflection. This is not the time for egos or to place blame on others. The objective of reflection is to avoid making the same mistakes over while looking to future events.
To begin to embrace this quality is very easy. Each day schedule 15 minutes with yourself to reflect on
What went well?
What did not go well?
What you could have improved?
What blind sided you?
What opportunities became available?
What potential opportunities did you miss?
How you can make tomorrow better than today?
By taking the time to reflect, you will begin to see results such as an increase sales to improve organizational growth.
Do you want to learn more about how to get to where you want to be? I have just completed a FREE 7 lesson on-line email course. Sign up here and now Building Your M.A.P. (My Action Plan) to Success.
Leanne Hoagland-Smith, M.S. is a speaker and Indianapolis business coach & Chicago business coach who has written hundreds of articles with a focus on improving individual and organizational performance through excellence in leadership to executable strategic plans.
Tags: blind sided, c executive, catapults, commission sales, higher order thinking, independent contractors, level c, objective, one time shot, organizational growth, proactive, reflective activity, self reflection, set time, sporadic attempts, taking the time, thought process, time to reflect
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