Reflect and Thrive: JB's Monday Momentum Week #11
Growth Through Reflection, One Thoughtful Moment at a Time
Estimated reading time: three minutes
Hello friends,
Our minds are always buzzing with thoughts, and our lives are constantly filled with activity; it can feel non-stop. To combat this constant rush, I've made reflecting—especially through journaling—a regular part of my routine. I truly think reflection is crucial, and something we should all make time for (it’s actually a large reason why I started this newsletter). This week, let's take a moment to reflect on reflection and why it's so important in our lives.
If you missed last week’s edition—“Redefining Rejection”—you can click here to check it out.
A Question I am Contemplating:
How can reflection enhance personal growth?
How we think influences how we act, so there isn't such a large gap between thought and action. When we take the time to reflect on our thoughts, feelings, and actions, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves. This self-awareness is key for personal growth and development as it paves the way to determine the best course of action. By cultivating self-awareness through reflection, we strengthen the connection between our thoughts and actions, enabling us to make intentional choices aligned with our values and aspirations. This heightened self-awareness fosters personal growth and empowers us to lead more fulfilling and purposeful1 lives.
Reflection plays a pivotal role in honing our problem-solving abilities. By taking the time to reflect on past challenges and successes, we cultivate a deeper understanding of our thought processes and decision-making strategies. This introspection allows us to analyze situations from various perspectives, identifying patterns and potential areas for improvement. Moreover, reflection stimulates creativity, enabling us to generate innovative solutions to complex problems. Reflection goes beyond simply thinking about the past; it is a valuable practice that can lead to tangible actions and outcomes. It empowers us to approach obstacles with greater clarity, resilience, and ingenuity.
In addition to all the positive things reflection helps us achieve, it's also a chance to take a break. It's a moment to escape the craziness and be with our thoughts. By setting aside a specific time and place to say, "Alright, for this period, I'm just going to reflect," you can easily boost mental clarity and reduce stress by shifting your focus from the outside world to your inner world.
How I reflect: As I mentioned before, journaling is my go-to way to reflect (I like putting my thoughts into writing and the ability to revisit past entries to see how my thoughts have changed). However, reflection can also take the form of meditation, going for a walk, or doing some artwork—whatever suits you best. The important thing is to find a time and place where you can be alone with your thoughts and express them in your own way. I used to beat myself up for skipping a day of journaling, but reflection doesn't have to be a daily ritual; it can be done every other day or even once a week. Just remember, it's a tool you can turn to whenever needed.
Two quotes on reflection:
“I believe I could never exhaust the supply of material lying within me. The deeper I plunge, the more I discover. There is no bottom to my heart and no limit to the acrobatic feats of my imagination.” — Anaïs Nin
“There is nowhere that a person can find a more peaceful and trouble-free retreat than in his own mind…So constantly give yourself this retreat, and renew yourself.” — Marcus Aurelius
Goal for the Week:
Finish two books this week
I’ve been in a little of a reading slump lately. Reading is something important to me, so I want to turn that around and prioritize it more this week. I don't want to force myself because I still want it to be enjoyable, so it's a delicate balance. I'm planning to finish Giovanni's Room, but I'm not sure what the second book will be.
What I’m Reading:
Discipline Is Destiny — Ryan Holiday (6% done)
Giovanni’s Room — James Baldwin (70% done)
When Breath Becomes Air — Paul Kalanithi (51% done)
What I’m listening to (one podcast, one artist, one song):
Deep Questions with Cal Newport: EP. 288: Confronting Your Phone
Tim Maia
“Sabor a Mí” — Luis Miguel
Thanks for reading! Don't forget to subscribe to stay updated for next week and feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Take care,
James