Self-reflection exercise: Why your inner view, decide your future

Have you observed yourself already Thinking, or were you just in the Autopilot on-the-go? I claim: In a world full of AI, the duration of sonication and optimization of pressure is Self-reflection one of the most important skills of all. But what is it exactly and how to practice it, without getting lost in ruminations?

The answer to that, we drag a little in length. Because self-reflection is not a Quick-Fix, but a process. Let's get the thread together, hold – up at the end.

Self-reflection is the ability to monitor one's own Thinking, Feeling, and Acting deliberately, to question and to draw conclusions is. Not: "I am." But: "Why I react so and I want to keep this?"

• No Grübel Carousel: Pondering turns in a circle, self-reflection is looking for a direction.
• No Self-Mangle: It's not about, you small, but to see more clearly.
• No Ego-Trip: Self-reflection is always a Relationship skills – you understand you, to understand others better.

If you delve deeper into the Interplay of self-image, Confidence, and inner strength boarding want, look at my post "Self-conscious reflection“ to.

Self-reflection is at the core of a navigation instrument. It helps you to answer three Central questions:

• Who I am? (Status)
• Who would I be? (Vision)
• What do I do next? (Action)

In my article "The self-doubt spiral: one thing that's slowing down your success really“ I will show you, how strong are your attitude and your results influence – and how you come out of the mental dead ends again.

Self-reflection is to stop the Moment you stop and say: ". What is happening here, really – and what has this to do with me?“

Mnemonic

Self-reflection is not level, the rating of you, but a window that will show you new opportunities.

The good news is that self-reflection is trainable – like a muscle. And, Yes, sometimes it feels at the beginning like the first day in the gym.

1. Micro-breaks during the day

• Question of the day: Imagine a daily reflection question, e.g. "What surprised me today?"
• Mini Check-in: Three Times a day short pause: "What am I thinking? What do I feel? What do I need?“

If you like routines, you will be my contribution "Creative routines – ideas for creative minds“ like.

2. Write it down – but smart

Writing is a Turbo for self-reflection. It forces you to sort out thoughts.

• Evening Reflection (5 Minutes):
  • What is today went well?
  • What have I learned?
  • What I would do differently tomorrow?

More on this you can find in "Your idea can find ritual“ – here I show, how you made small write a creative powerhouse with rituals do.

3. Reflection with others

Self-reflection doesn't have to be lonely. On the contrary, Others are often the most honest mirror.

• Feedback-Ritual: Get regular honest, benevolent Feedback.
• Team Reflection: In my article "Unpleasant Tasks? Teamwork rocks!“ it's a question of how collaboration makes us beyond ourselves to grow.

Practice exercise: 7 days of self-reflection and light

1. Day 1-2: Every night three sentences: "Today I learned that..."
2. Day 3-4: Additional: "A Situation in which I would like to react in a different way, is..."
3. Day 5-7: Write: "that's One small step I can tomorrow to try, is..."

After a week you have not only notes, but a pattern. And patterns of raw material for a change.

On my art page artist.Roland wegerer.at I have been working for years with issues such as identity, the body and self-image. In the series "Self glitch“ I cut my own face digital – a playful, but a radical act of self-interrogation:

Also Work as "What's Your Name?“ or "It's Dark in Here“ circles around the question: Who am I, if, roles, routines, and expectations fall away?

Art is for me a Form of self-reflection in the outer space: A thought that leaves the body, and comes as an image, Performance, or Video back to you back.

We are in the midst of a massive Transformation: AI, automation, new work models. In my article "Labour market 2040: we Will be the wizard of AI?“ I will show how roles and skills move.

Three reasons why Self-reflection practice on the future of competency is:

• 1. Orientation in the information noise Who does not know himself, is controlled by Algorithms. In "Algorithm simply explained – and why it shapes your everyday life“ it is exactly about this, like you win back the control over your focus.
• 2. Creativity instead of copy AI can generate content – but your inner attitude. In "Artificial intelligence is the gravedigger of your creativity?“ I discuss why your reflective approach to the AI decides on mediocrity or originality.
• 3. Resilience in uncertain times Self-reflection helps you to frustration, Failure and uncertainty to classify it. Read "The secret of Frustration: Why 'no' is your best Mentor“.

External perspectives, and the strengths of self-reflection

• The psychology of self-reflection: Research shows that so-called "self-distanced reflection" (for example, helps to think in the third Person about himself), to regulate emotions better and to make clearer decisions. https://hbr.org/
• Self-efficacy Albert Bandura: Studies on Self-Efficacy show that people who consider that reflects their skills, rather remained tuned and complex tasks.https://intrapsychisch.de/das-konzept-der-selbstwirksamkeit-nach-bandura/
• Mindfulness & Reflection: Programs such as MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) combine Meditation with self-reflection and show demonstrable effects on Stress, focus, and emotion regulation. https://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/

(All three on the left are deliberately selected to give you reputable, in-depth insights.)

A risk of self-reflection: You can lose you is to want you to constantly optimize. In "The beauty of the imperfection Wabi-Sabi case as a counter-draft to Perfection“ I will show why cracks, faults and fractures are not your Problem, but your story.

Self-reflection is not to say: "I'm perfect." But: "I will be more aware and more free."

Practice exercise: reflection without self-destruction

1. Your reflection formulate questions appreciative:
   • Not: "Why am I so bad at this?"
   • But: "What do I need to be better at it?"
2. Complete each reflection with a set of:
   • "A step that I'm proud of is..."

If you do this consistently, you associate self-reflection with self-compassion – a Gamechanger.

Thus, this Text is not merely an "Aha" in the head, but something in motion, here's a little roadmap:

• Start with a topic of focus: for example, work, relationships or creativity.
• Use Routines: To build reflection into existing habits (coffee, afternoon walk, train ride).
• Combine these with the personality development: In category "Personal Development" on my Blog you can find many articles, the self-reflection docking, practical – about "🌱 Development of personality in everyday life: What we miss – and why it is missing“.

Mnemonic

Self-reflection is not a luxury for quiet days, but a tool for stormy times.

If you've read this far, have you been practicing already self-reflection: have You taken the time to deal with yourself. The open question from the beginning – "Are you in Autopilot or awake on the road?" – can you answer now, honest.

My suggestion: Take you five minutes and answer in writing:

1. What I've learned in the last 12 months, about me?
2. What I would like to have in the next year taught me?
3. What is the first small step I can put today?

I am glad if you can share your thoughts in the comments below:

• What is the meaning of Self-reflection for you personally?
• What Exercise from this article, do you want to try or you have your own rituals?

Your comment could be the impulse that someone else needs today.