Productive self-reflection is the habit of thinking about or meditating on one’s character, actions, and motives. Ask – am I presenting to the world my real self? Am I who I want to be? Do you show up as a good leader? Do your actions reflect your values or the values of those around you? Why do I do what I do?

As a leader, do you strive to serve? Then self-reflect. It builds your capability. You gain an understanding of your emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and driving forces. Self-reflection helps you clarify your core values so that you make better decisions. You become more confident and avoid mistakes.

Productive self-reflection is the ability to generate actions and strategies from self-reflection. As you reflect on being the CEO of your own corporation, think of ways to show up in power and integrity. Do not get depressed over actions you could have taken but did not nor should you blame everyone else for your own decisions. That is neither the attitude of a leader nor is it productive to engage in such navel-gazing.

So, how do you self-reflect?
1. Get quiet. Shut down the screens, screams, and sirens. There are too many things competing for your focus. You need to mute the outside noise so you can look within to reflect.
2. Understand your leadership style. Take a leadership assessment test such as Myers-Briggs, Strength Finder, or Maxwell Leadership Assessment. These help you see how your personality ties into your leadership style.
3. Read a book to delve into an area of leadership you need to develop – conflict resolution, networking, problem-solving, relationship building, etc.
4. Review set goals. At some point in time, New Year’s Day perhaps, you set goals. Take time to review them on a regular basis – weekly, monthly, or quarterly.
5. Journal. Write down your thoughts. Acknowledge your feelings. Writing presents an opportunity to reflect and meditate. Reading what you wrote months or years later strengthen memories.
6. Get real with someone you trust; someone who can tell you what aspects of your leadership personality needs improvement.

Produce better results from what you learn about yourself. The most important part of self-reflection is making it productive. For example, if you find yourself lacking motivation, try strategies that you have read about or that worked for you in the past. You may plan your day the night before or promise yourself a great reward for work completed.