Sorry, my calendar is full.

Colleagues,

Today we continue our series on growing your leadership, but first, think about what you’ve done this week in Quadrant 2.


Strategy 2: Block reflection time – and use it!


Without reflection, growth is a coincidence.


Keys to reflection:

• Celebrate your successes. Celebration is key because we can learn from what worked and build your confidence to be more critical.
• Learn from your mistakes. Processing mistakes helps us learn from them and avoid making similar errors in the future.
• Assimilate and apply new information/learning. Reflecting on new information and learning helps us internalize it and to be able to apply it to your own leadership.

Ideally:

• Choose a consistent time and block it off in your calendar. 
• Make this sacred time and don’t let people steal it from you. 
• Twenty minutes is enough, although more is better. 
• Many of us choose natural times for reflection, like Friday afternoon. Others like to begin the week with intention by reflecting on Monday morning. Perhaps Sunday afternoon works well. Whatever it is, schedule it and keep it sacred.
• Reflect with someone else if possible

Alternate method:

• Budget 5 minutes at the beginning of your day and read this daily email.
• After reading, take a minute or two to reflect.
• Set an intention for the day.

Many readers begin their day with a cup of coffee and this email. It shouldn’t be your only growth strategy, but it is a minimally viable process (MVP).


Take action now: Find a regular time to reflect. Block it off as a recurring event in your calendar. Start with a 15 to 30-minute block. Optional: schedule that time with a partner.



Cheers!


Frederick