Reflecting and preparing

There are key times in a calendar where we will often take time out to review and to consider what the future could hold for us. I find these times really useful. I call them my Reflecting and Preparing time. So much has come out of those times that have impacted my life.

I guess you may do similar as well. Key times could be related to the start of a new year, a new term, maybe a house move, a new addition to the family, or job move, a significant change in life etc. Maybe you are at this period now, where you are starting to think about the next season of your life.

If so, let me speak into that as we look together at how to make the most from our times of reflecting and preparing.

Why should we reflect and prepare?

Peter Trucker, a famous business leader once said, ‘Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action’.

This tells me that I will be smarter if I take responsibility for how I use my time to be more effective. Therefore, reflection is at the heart of this to learn and grow.  Reflecting and preparing is a healthy way to advance in life. We should not take our lives or life experiences for granted. Investing time in evaluating our experiences and learnings, can lead us to become more productive and move towards our better future.

When we reflect well, I have often noted it can lead to seeing new dreams and opportunities. Why is this? It is because we decide to take time out to ‘Stop and Reflect’. We put time aside to see the ‘Big Picture’.

How to begin a time of reflection

One helpful way I do this is by asking great questions. John Maxwell often says that ‘Good leaders ask great questions’. However, those questions don’t always have to be to other people they could be to…ourselves.

Here are some of the questions I ask myself for reflection:

  • What have I been learning about during the last 12 months?
  • What has gone well for me this year?
  • Then, what has not gone well for me this year?
  • How do I adapt to change?
  • What is my coach noticing about me at the moment?
  • How have I grown my strengths this year?
  • What have I started but not followed through on?
  • What have been some of my biggest wins this year?

Moving from reflection to preparation

As you take time out to reflect, this can often stir new dreams and opportunities. My question is, if that is the case…..which I know it is…..How can I prepare for them and a better future?

I have often noted that in life we can tend to be Preparing or Repairing. But if we want to be preparing for that better future, we need to again ask ourselves some challenging questions.

These are some of the questions that I consider when preparing:

  • What’s the 1st step I can take today in my preparation for a better future?
  • Am I really prepared to commit to this?
  • What could stop me moving ahead?
  • Who should I be accountable to in this?
  • How am I going to track my progress?

Sadly, so many dreams and good intentions never mature and don’t last the test of time. Why is this? It’s often because there has been no process for progress.

Next step: develop a blueprint

Preparing and dreaming for a better future is only part of it. There MUST be a blueprint for how the plan, improvement, the stepping up, the new behaviour etc, is going to come about. As a business growth consultant and mentor to many people, I work with my clients to ensure they have a strategy for a better future.  Time is short, so let’s not waste time, just dreaming and preparing about the future but never taking the strategic steps needed to fulfil them.

Prepare ahead to stay ahead

Stay ahead with your dream or your next step and where you want to get to in the future.  So, what would preparation look like for you?  Take time out to prepare for your future. Often it is not the BIG steps we have to take, rather it is the small step the NEXT STEP.   Are you moving into a new season? Is it time to reflect and prepare to ensure you make the most out of your next season of life?

Do let me know-how as you take time out to reflect and prepare.  What will your next step be and how will you ensure you keep moving ahead towards your desired goals and dreams and not get distracted?

To understand more about how mentoring can help you to move into your better future click HERE.

To find out more about Tony and his work visit his website here

Read more about Tony by visiting his bio below

 

Tony Lynch is a business growth consultant, mentor, and coach. He equips people and businesses for success and a better future.
Tony is also a regular speaker at events (now online) as well as being a TEDx speaker and has been featured in Inc for the ‘100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference’.
He has also been a Judge at the UK and International Business Awards in London and Amsterdam.

www.keepthinkingbig.com/