The Power of Reflecting

I'm thrilled to have you join me as we dive into a topic that's all about growth, self-discovery, and optimism of a fresh start. At the beginning of each new semester, I like to take the opportunity to hit the pause button, take a deep breath, and reflect on the journey so far. Today we'll be exploring the power of reflection – a tool that not only allows us to appreciate the strides we've made but also provides invaluable insights for the road ahead.

Open up a tab or grab some paper and a pen, and answer these for yourself….

Let’s start with Reflecting on semester one…

1.  What was the biggest semester triumph in semester one?

2. Smartest decision made in semester one

3. Single word summing up the semester

4. Greatest lesson learned about yourself in semester one

5. Biggest piece of unfinished business from semester one

6. What semester one goal are you happiest about?

7. Who are three people who have impacted you the most in semester one?

8. Greatest risk you took in semester one

9. Biggest surprise

I don’t just stop at reflection though because I like to create an action map to gear up to conquer upcoming challenges and make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead. Yes, that's right – it's goal-setting time! I’ll be sharing tips and strategies to help you craft meaningful, actionable, achievable goals for the new semester.

Now, looking forward to semester two…

1. What do you want your biggest semester two triumph to be?

2. What advice do you want to give yourself in semester two?  

3. How will you change your habits in semester two? 

4. What do you want to complete in semester two?

5. What indulgence will you do or how will you nourish yourself in semester two? 

6. What will you learn this semester?  

7. What risk will you take in semester two?  

8. What underdeveloped talent or skill(s) are you willing to explore? 

9. What brings you joy and what will you do to cultivate more of that?  

10. Who are you most committed to loving and serving this semester? 

As you embark on this new semester, carry with you the lessons learned from your reflections and let them guide you toward the future you envision. Whether it's academic achievements, personal development, or a blend of both, remember that your goals are truly within reach if you keep them in your focus and take actions to move toward them one step at a time. Good luck and keep going!

These questions have been adapted from Katy Bowman’s (biomechanist, author, movement specialist) list from Move your DNA podcast episode 152.