The new year is finally here and our eyes are bright and hopeful for what is to come. Self-reflection is an underestimated tool when it comes to planning out present plans and the future. Furthermore, sitting with your thoughts to manifest your goals, dreams, and tasks for the year, will in turn, make your bigger picture that much clearer.

What is self-reflection?

It is the time you take to yourself to look inward (within you). It helps to build two major components to emotional intelligence: self-awareness and self-regulation.

How will self-reflecting help me?

By taking the time to ask yourself the important questions, you gain a better understanding of your emotions, strengths, weaknesses and driving factors. Once you understand important aspects of thy self, you become better able to adapt to changing situations and tough circumstances. 

Self-reflecting will also increase integrity when you take time to reflect on core values. Having a clear understanding of what values hold most important to you, puts them at the forefront of your mind and strengthens your decisions. 

When our lives become a cycle of activities of doing and producing, we try to maximize productivity yet minimize the time being spent. When we are always acting and moving from one thing to the next we sometimes we forget to stop and just think. Taking time to think allows for new ideas to emerge and counters the risk of becoming stagnant. New ideas and continuous change, no matter what your situation, is necessary. 

Rolling off the heels of 2017, did you take the time to self-reflect? It’s a well-known saying, you won’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been, or yet, where you are. “Checking in” can do an unsurmountable of good for your mental health, well-being, and future plans.

Ask yourself these 7 self-reflection questions for a quick check-in:

1.     What is the biggest life lesson you learned in 2017?

2.     What is the biggest lesson learned about yourself in 2017?

3.     What is something you accomplished this year that you’re super proud of?

4.     What is something you did not accomplish this year that you’re going to make sure you accomplish next year?

5.     What is something that made 2017 a stronger year than 2016?

6.     Overall, was 2017 a good year to you?

7.     Were you good to the year 2017?

Find out more about the values of mental and health benefits from self-reflection here.