The egret in the photo is about to take flight but look closely and you will see that the bird is staring into its reflection in the waters at Emerald Isle, North Carolina. What about you? Are you reflecting on this past year before flying into 2022? Why should you even bother to take the time to mull over the year?
To grow we need to reflect on where we have been, what we have experienced, and what we have learned from those experiences. In John C. Maxwell’s book, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth, he writes about the Law of Reflection and states, “there are some kinds of growth that come to us only if we are willing to stop, pause, and allow the lesson to catch up with us.”1
Like the egret in the photo, stop, pause, take a breath, and reflect. Are you learning from your experiences? Are you pouring your life into others? Are you enjoying time spent with loved ones and friends?
A couple of weeks ago I sat down with my calendar and reviewed 2021. I wrote a list of what worked and what did not work, while asking why for both. On another piece of paper, there is a list of people who I impacted this year. Before December ends, I will review the photos on my phone reflecting on where I have been, who I was with, and what the experience meant to me.
Why would I do this and why should you do something similar? Because this exercise causes us to be thankful for who and what we have in life, and it contributes to our growth. Maxwell wrote, “When it comes time to reflect, make sure you’re looking back in a way that will help you move forward.”2
Are you interested in your personal growth and development, and the development of your team? Then reach out to me at www.impactusleadership.com, complete the contact form, and I will be in touch with you.
1John C. Maxwell, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth (New York: Center Street, 2012), 51
