The underutilized tool every business owner and leader has access to....

There’s a power and practice we all have access to that I would say is one of the most underutilized tools in our everyday toolbox….and I would venture to say, also in life.

First, here are some questions to consider:

Do you ever feel like your business or work is happening to you - a force unto itself and you’re not really in the driver’s seat?

Have you often wondered about the next step to take or how to navigate tough decisions?

Do you feel regular swirling thoughts of uncertainty and lack of direction or lack of focus when you think about your work or business?

Do you find yourself off course often - realizing that what you were doing all day or all week isn’t getting you closer to your goals or aligned with your vision?

Here’s the thing: I know how it feels to be uncertain about the next steps, to feel like it’s ‘hard’ to figure out what’s next or to wade through the noise and chaos of what comes at us daily.

I have found a simple tool and practice helpful and I wanted to share it with you today.

This is one way you can support yourself as you wade through any daily mire or confusion you’re experiencing.

The practice? Reflection.

Simple.

How often do you truly take the time to reflect?

Not necessarily problem-solving but more big picture thinking?

Reflecting on questions such as:

• What do you WANT your business or career to look like?

• What’s working now?

• What’s not working?

• Have I made time for the priorities in my life?

• Is how I’m spending my time, how I really want to be?

• What’s missing?

• What am I not seeing in a particular situation?

I remember working with a coach years ago that I had hired to help me work through a career change. I remember listing off all the things that weren’t working at the time. When we got to the part where she asked me “Ok, now what do you WANT?” This simple question just stopped me.

A few things came to mind, but I was really at a loss.

And, it wasn’t because I hadn’t figured out my next career step, it was much more basic than that.

It was because I didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about WHAT I wanted in general.

I realized I spent more time thinking about what I didn’t want, than what I did want in my life.

This was a profound moment for me. And, a moment that truly shifted me into a more intentional way of living.

So, ever since, I’ve had a regular practice of reflection which allows me to be very intentional about what I do want in my life, my career, and now in my business.

Do I know exactly where I’m going all the time? NO

But it evolves and I get the clarity that helps me make decisions that get me closer and closer to my goals and creating a more intentional life and business.

This practice interrupts the default thought patterns and removes one from the ‘day by default’ that we can often get swept up into.

So, if you were going make the time to reflect as part of your routine, how often would you consider doing it?

• daily

• multiple times per day

• weekly

• multiple times per week

• whatever works for you

I invite you to aim for regular, dedicated, intentional time for reflection that allows for free-flowing thinking, some mind wandering, and some note-taking.

This is one of those practices that the more you do it, the better you get, and the more you want to do it because you see the power in it.

The Power of reflection helps you to:

• Think more clearly

• Connects you with your inner wisdom

• Connects you to your own desires, ideas, purpose, and goals

• Helps you to gain insight into the next best step to take, particularly when faced with a decision

• Slows you down, removes you from the hustle of the day

This often untapped tool will help you gain insights, ideas, and new ways of thinking about things that you may not have realized you had.

This is the power of reflection.

A tool always at your disposal.

I invite you to try it.

NOW is YOUR time.

Ariana

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