A simple ‘How am I doing?’ exercise can shine some light on your themes and patterns. It might even motivate you to undertake a little self-improvement. The objective of the exercise is to identify some disequilibrium.
When a glance in the mirror becomes an extended gaze, it forces you to ask yourself hard questions. If you then focus your attention on something, it can evolve. Here are some considerations:
- Are you living consistently according to your values?
- Are you making headway on your life goals?
- Do you remain calm and clear-headed during conflict?
- Do you practice respect and kindness with others?
- Do you follow through with your commitments?
- Do you regularly invest energy and resources toward those in your inner circle?
- Are you challenging yourself to grow and improve?
- Do you manage change, both expected and unexpected, effectively?
- Do you remain curious and nonjudgemental when perspectives differ from yours?
- Do you bounce back following a setback or disappointment?
Even the emotionally healthiest among us can identify an area or two that could benefit from some attention. Once a theme or pattern is identified, the trick is to turn insight into action. It doesn’t take long – maybe two or three weeks – to build a habit. A new ‘normal’ setpoint must get established, however long that takes.
Give it a try. You might thank yourself once the new equilibrium finds its balance. At the very least, the long gaze in the mirror will provide a new reflection.
