Good morning, Team!  It’s Friday!

The first thing I think of when I hear the word reflection is a solitary person in a contemplative pose and a curious look on their face going through details in their head of a complex day or problem.  I’d like to expand that mental image for a minute and suggest you consider building reflection into your daily routine.

My first systems control class in the college of engineering at NDSU taught me the importance of a feedback loop.  It’s very hard to calibrate anything without measuring the initial results, reflecting on what it did versus what you want it to do, then taking appropriate action to align those initial results with intended results.  Try, reflect, calibrate, try again.

Jim Collins wrote “fire bullets, then cannonballs” in his book Great by Choice.  The information gained by a low-cost, low-risk, low-distraction experiment can then be incorporated into the intended action and desired result.  Try, reflect, adjust, try harder.

Most leaders are pulled into daily operations and get a bit of a runner’s high by accomplishing multiple items, whether tactical or strategic in nature, in any specific day.  It’s hard to get comfortable taking time to reflect when you are surrounded by a sense of urgency.  However, busy might not be productive and the sense of satisfaction could be misguided if the results haven’t been calibrated.  Slow down a little, reflect, reengage.

It doesn’t matter if reflection is comprised of light waves, electrons, opinions from others or your own memories and ideas, they are all methods meant to improve the specific, ongoing experience.

I challenge you to back away from the “tyranny of the urgent” and spend 30 genuine minutes reflecting on what you have done and what you are going to do.  It will feel selfish and unproductive … at first.  You will be interrupted, undoubtedly.  Don’t give it up.  Stay persistent and gain the benefit.  Maybe make a hole in your calendar for a full month and reflect back in 30 days if you’ve built a lasting, beneficial habit.

Have a blessed weekend!