How often do you reflect on your day? Both, what went well and what could have been better. Reflection, I believe is one of the most rewarding and positive things you can do regardless of which area you are involved in, whether Training, Coaching or Mentoring. If it is done correctly it can adjust the way that you think, create opportunities to learn and to help you think about things differently.  It help’s with continuous improvement, making you better at what you do. How many of us have left after delivering training or coaching and reflected on the day, I mean really reflected? 

On my coaching courses, I teach the skills to really reflect, look at some key areas and how to use them. Sometimes we will say we were good at something but then never think about why we were good and what was different to make us good? Reflection I believe is where the best learning takes place. It is a continuous cycle to reflect, and then move what you have learnt about yourself forward into the preparation for your next session. You can constantly strive to improve, reflection is the key.

You have to be committed, create a habit, remember when you are honest about making mistakes, you soon realise they are actually opportunities to learn, nothing to hide from, mistakes are important. Reflection helps you understand your mistakes, if you don’t do this you will never learn and move forward. Mistakes are opportunities to learn because they create creativity! With reflection, you will learn about how your focus may be, how this affects your mood and performance and where your strengths are. It is all about the ability to continue to learn and grow.

Reflection is such a huge area and is by far a key area in life whether professionally or personally that can make such a difference. Remember not everyone can be the best, It is all about being the best you can be.

Claire Moody is our head coach at Target Training, and you can read more about her here.  She delivers training on all coaching and numerous training the trainer courses.