If you follow my blogs on a regular basis you will be aware of the importance I place on reflection, learning and applying this learning to our practice.
In a previous blog (How to become an even better coach – Identifying the slither of difference) I discussed the slither of difference idea identify the elements that require further development. Thinking and reflection provides what I like to think of as the nutrients to sustain and grow our skills.
In order to do this we need two essential resources: time and space, to this, we need to add quality – quality time and quality of space. Just as when we are coaching, reflective thinking takes energy and focus – as for best results find a space we are productive in calm, free from interruption.
If you only spare fifteen minutes for reflection make it the most ‘thinkingly’ productive. Fifteen minutes of quality time and space is unlikely to be available all the time, it will need to be created. You may need to do this through negotiation and may require an element of compromise. This doesn’t mean defaulting to an ‘it’s ok, I can manage with five minutes’ or ‘it will do’, response either literally or as part of your self talk. It requires space and time for uninterrupted thinking.
First identify:
A) From experience what is the optimum time and space for you?
B) When does the appropriate quality of time and space come together?
C) What will this look like, feel like when you have it?
D) How will this make you feel?
Then…
E) When will your mind have the capacity to truly think? E.g. on the weekend, when the children are in bed or during the holidays.
F) What will help your thinking?
G) Where is your preferred thinking space?
H) What timings work best for you?
I) How will you capture your thoughts?
J) How will this impact on others? E.g. family
K) How often will you make time for thinking?
L) How will the thinking and learning be fed into your practice?
M) Where will you document your development?
N) Who will share your “gems” of discovery through this structured thinking process?
If you try this and it makes a difference to your practice I would have to hear from you. Email me judith@britishschoolofcoaching.com
