The Power of Reflection in Goal-Setting
The Power of Reflection in Goal-Setting.
An important part of goal setting is looking forward, but how often do you take the time to look back? Can reflecting on the past really help you set meaningful goals?
The world around us is moving at breakneck speed. We may get so caught up in the quest to achieve outcomes, that we don’t stop to check if these are actually outcomes we want. It doesn’t make sense to keep pressing on if we’re not confident we’re heading in the right direction.
How can we check in and recalibrate if necessary? How can we refine our goals so they are more aligned with who we are and our values? Is it possible to improve our goals by looking to the past? We want to create a better future for those we love and our community. However, if we keep rushing from one goal, task or achievement to the next, can we be confident we are working on projects that are aligned with our values or vision for our life or work?
Let’s consider how reflecting on the past can have a powerful impact on the process of setting meaningful goals.
Looking Forward
It is true that an important part of goal setting is looking forward. We take the time to consider what our life will look like when we achieve the goal. We imagine how we will feel. We think about how achieving the goal will contribute to our overall purpose or life vision. However, what informs this idea of how we will feel and how our life and environment will be impacted? What is the experience or evidence on which we are basing our hopes and expectations?
Looking Back
This leads us to ask: How often do you take the opportunity to look back? For example, when setting annual goals, do you reflect on the year that was? Do you take the time to contemplate the events and connections, the wins and losses of the previous year? This exercise is an integral piece of the successful goal setting process. This process helps us to get perspective on the past 12 months. It allows us to be aware of the challenges we met, the joys we experienced and acknowledge the mistakes we made. We may find that meeting a certain goal didn’t fulfil us in the way we thought it would. We could notice that the few hours we spent on a side project, or during a seemingly insignificant activity, gave us the greatest satisfaction. Would changing, shifting, or tweaking your goals allow you to experience that sense of satisfaction, or pride (or any other desired feelings) more often?
I run a yearly reflection and vision-setting workshop. Participants are often surprised by what they learn when they review the previous twelve months. One participant found that by reflecting on her past year (2020) she was reminded of her strengths and inspired to lean into them more in the year ahead. During the workshop participants use a calendar, journal, or social media to systematically review their life over the past twelve months. By giving attention to all of their life, they are helped to override the natural negativity-bias. They notice the healthy patterns, the joys and the times when they thrive. They also get to acknowledge the challenges and grieve the losses. Whenever I have completed this exercise myself I am amazed by how many positive aspects shine through in what could have otherwise seemed to have been not so good.
What is another way you can add reflection to the goal assessing and setting process, especially if your schedule is maxed out?
Activity
First, if you notice you are overloaded or are struggling to find a weekend, day, or even a few hours just for yourself, now is the time to make it happen - simply stop.
Many of my coaching clients find writing or journaling to be a helpful tool for the reflection process. Stop, and look back on the past week or past month. How many tasks were helping you make progress towards goals that matter to you? How much time did you spend in activities that were in line with your core values?
You may prefer to use a spreadsheet. List the projects or activities you worked on during the period. Rank each one according to how aligned it is with your values or with the vision you have for your life.
Whether you express your thoughts, feelings and observations in a journal, or use the spreadsheet list, notice how you feel as you consider each task or event. How does your energy shift? Do you notice joy, sadness, frustration, excitement or something else? Make a note of your observations. Write, use pictures, or make a recording on your phone - whatever works for you.
What’s Next?
So what if you discover you are spending too much time and energy on goals that don’t serve you? What if your goals primarily reflect other people’s agendas, or are aligned with values you have outgrown? If so, it is time to make a change. This may be difficult, but it is definitely worth it. It could require letting go of long held beliefs, or a dramatic mindset shift. The right support for you and your situation will make the goal-setting or shifting process smoother. For example, working with a skilled coach will help you maximise your potential as you draw on your strengths, wisdom and other resources. You could also reach out for support from a trusted friend or mentor.
Reflecting as part of the goal-setting process is one tool that will help you to set goals that are truly meaningful to you. You will create and work towards goals that add real value to your life and the lives of others.
What is the single, simplest, very next step you can take towards setting more meaningful goals?
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