I was once advised by my professor to maintain a personal diary.
According to her, that way, one could talk to oneself without disturbing
anyone. Whatever you have done throughout your entire day, if written down
somewhere, helps you to analyse your actions. For example, if you do something
impulsively and don’t really give much thought to it then, you can think about
it once you write it down. Self-reflection helps to understand yourself and
your problems, starting from your weaknesses and your positive aspects. This
practice not only makes you confident, but also a better individual – something
we all want but don’t know where to start.
Here is why and how
of self-reflection:
- By
self-questioning
Maybe, you had an
argument with someone. While returning home and looking out the window, you
begin thinking about it – reflect upon it and visualize the whole scenario
again. While you do that some aspects start striking you; some questions start
cropping up in your mind – “Why did I do this?” or “Why did I say that?” These
questions help you to analyse the whole situation in a tranquil state of mind.
If you feel that you have done something, which you want to revoke, you can
always go back and try to make things better, because, life “always” gives you
a second chance, only if you look for it.
- By
boosting your self-confidence
A perfect
individual is one who has the precise knowledge of both their strengths and
weaknesses. Self-contemplation boosts self-confidence. Once you start thinking
about your weaknesses, you will automatically find an answer to deal with that.
And once you have it, well, you are already on the path to victory. All you
need is your relentless efforts and a group of people to motivate you.
- Brings
in new thoughts
Introspection
alters you as a person (Of course in a better way)! Suppose, you have been
called on stage to deliver a presentation that your team has prepared. You
stumble, stammer, and lose your continuity because of the audience ogling at
you. You’re extremely embarrassed at the end of the presentation and return
home dejected. When you retrospect, a lot of that shame comes back. On the
other hand, you also realise that it is not your fault at all. You learned an
invaluable lesson that to become a good public speaker you need to practice
well and be confident. Thus, you become determined for improvement and thus
change for the better.
- Helps
you in self-search
Self-reflection
helps you to pinpoint the things that make you happy and thus fills you with
positivity. After a day out with a group of people, you can always introspect
on whether it was a memory that you want to cherish or a not so important one
that you would eventually discard. Anything that remotely brings about
negativity or negative thoughts in your mind can be disastrous for healthy
living. A bad relationship, an accident, few broken bones or a broken heart –
all of it and any other emotionally tragic memory can be successfully discarded
by talking to someone. You might not completely forget about it, but the
physical and emotional pain both can be soothed.
- Helps
you realize
Self-reflection
makes you way more mature, and you start feeling calmer than ever even when
things are spinning out of control. It helps you to focus and thus increases
your work productivity significantly. You realise that not everything is your
fault, even when the entire world is against you. And even when you’re wrong,
introspection will give you the strength to accept and learn from it. To err is
human after all.
- Changes
your perspectives
Introspection
always lets us take better decisions as we learn from our mistakes. Experience
teaches a lot – but just going through a situation is not what enlightens you
or makes you very knowledgeable. Unless we learn to analyze and discern the
magnanimity of an event, we will never change for the better.
Writing down your reflections on the events of your day ends up becoming
bittersweet memories when you turn the pages years later, sitting on a couch
with a cup of coffee by your side. It is probably one of those rare memories,
you can consciously make by self-reflection. And the outcome is a meaningful and
fulfilling life and a successful life.
