It’s fascinating to observe how many professionals can maintain a frenetic pace—50-hour workweeks, constant travel, hundreds of emails, endless meetings—yet find it nearly impossible to dedicate two hours to reflecting on their priorities and planning.
Here’s the key: it’s not just about stopping to think, but doing so in a structured and written manner. Writing and the ritual of the monthly “Stop & Think” compel us to organize our ideas, confront our actual achievements, and clearly define priorities for the coming month.
In my experience working with executive teams, I’ve observed that those who regularly dedicate time to this practice of written reflection are much more focused on what’s important and also improve their self-awareness, which is crucial for personal development.
Three powerful questions for your next reflection session:
- How have you progressed on the priorities you set for January?
- What can you learn from what happened in January regarding your planning and personal organization?
- What are the major priorities for February?
Dare to block out two hours in your schedule this week for this reflection exercise.
The agenda never lies. We, to ourselves, do.
