Unveiling Yourself: A Guide to Self-Discovery Through Reflective Practice - Part 7
Adaptation, the Fluidity and Keystone of Self-Reflection
By Shelley Bridgman
In this series on Reflective Practice & Self-Reflection, we’ve considered:
The Environment for Self-Reflection
The Power of Journaling
Asking the Right Questions
Mindfulness and Meditation
Vulnerability
Feedback
…The final component is:
Adaptation
Leaders and individuals who want to make a positive impact need to be able to adjust and respond to change. In this final piece, I am using adaptation to bring these Pillars of Self-Reflection together.
Environment:
In an ideal world, our environment will be supportive, to creativity and clear thinking. The problem is we don’t always live in an ideal world. Adaptation sometimes requires us to adapt and make the most of our environment.
Journaling:
Adapting in journaling requires us to develop our reflection techniques as we gain more life experiences and insights. It’s about shifting from simply recording events to deeply analysing our thoughts and feelings, allowing our journal to be a dynamic tool for self-discovery.
Questions:
As we grow, the questions we ask ourselves in self-reflection should grow with us. Adaptation involves reevaluating questions to push us beyond our current understanding and explore new aspects of self-awareness.
Mindfulness and Meditation:
The practice of mindfulness is inherently about adaptation – being present and adapting to the moment without judgment. It teaches us to embrace change within and around us, fostering a mindset that welcomes growth and new perspectives.
Vulnerability:
Being vulnerable requires adapting to the discomfort of openness and uncertainty. We need to change our mindset and view vulnerability as a brave act of being true to ourselves and forming meaningful connections.
Feedback:
The ability to adaptively receive and utilise feedback is crucial. It’s about using constructive criticism to guide our personal and professional growth.
Adaptation: The Path Forward:
As we face life’s complexities, adaptation becomes our guide, leading us on our personal development journey. It allows us to fluidly integrate practices like journaling, questioning, mindfulness, vulnerability, and feedback into our lives, turning them into catalysts for growth.
So, adaptation isn’t just about coping with change; it’s about embracing it as an opportunity for growth and self-realisation. Integrating this vital component into our self-reflection practices helps us evolve and become more impactful leaders.
Shelley Bridgman.
Engagement & Outreach Lead/Executive Coach-Origin Leadership Consulting. www.originlc.com
Shelley Bridgman is a Speaker, Coach, Psychotherapist, Hypnotherapist, Trainer, & Author, based in the UK. She has become a media commentator specializing in psychotherapy psychology, and Change with appearances on BBC Television, Sky Television, and Channels 4.
She has a Masters Degree in Psychotherapy, is an accredited Coach, a Certified Hypnotherapist, Master NLP practitioner, and has over 30 years of experience working with Individuals and groups… (read more).
To see Shelley in action and to hear how her story changed the laws in 17 countries, check out her TEDX talk “Dare to be You”.