Most would agree that the world we live in is far more fast-paced than the one we grew up in – or even the one we lived and worked in 15 years ago. Technology has given way to the term “immediate gratification,” not only for what we want, but also for what others want from us.
If you’re reading a blog, then it is likely you can’t deny that you too are guilty of thinking (or whispering to a colleague), “Why hasn’t she emailed me back yet?! I sent that email an hour ago!” Or we wonder why our phone call isn’t returned immediately. Some of us don’t even bother leaving a voicemail these days; we know the person calling will see they missed our call and urgently rush to call us back. We get no time for reflection anymore.
We are busy, busy, busy. Always doing something. Rarely stopping to reflect on the day, much less the meeting we just left, the phone call we just placed, or the conversation we just held with a client. This isn’t to say we don’t care or that we are oblivious to our impact on others. Of course we care. But wouldn’t our work be that much more efficient; even more impactful; increasingly creative and innovative; and most importantly, rewarding if we took time to reflect?
Taking time to take time isn’t easy. It takes effort and commitment. So here’s the challenge: for one week, after each call, meeting, or significant interaction with a client or co-worker (not to mention in your personal life), take 90 seconds to STOP, BREATHE & REFLECT on what just happened. Ask yourself, “What did I offer? What information did I glean? What steps do I take now?” You’ll find that this moment of reflection will increase your ability to focus, remember and then calmly move on to your next task. And after your own reflection, give others the opportunity to do the same – everyone (including you) will be thankful you did.
#reflection #stopbreathereflect #dynamicthoughts