January Reset: The Power of Reflection
I love the feeling that the start of the year brings. It’s a perfect time to hit reset and set some goals.
But how do we hit reset?
First, hit reflect.
In the hustle and bustle of life in early January, it's easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of challenges and aspirations for the year ahead. Yet, within the chaos lies a transformative tool – positive reflection – fueled by gratitude.
This article explores how harnessing the power of positive reflection can form a foundation for growth and fulfillment. Let's also factor in the good, the bad, and the ugly because, as we all know, things don’t always go to plan.
Whether you've been hit by a curve ball that life threw at you or you hit a home run last year, reflection can help set you on a trajectory for the year ahead that enhances your fulfillment.
The Power of Positive Reflection
Positive reflection begins with a conscious effort to acknowledge and appreciate the road you've traveled so far. Taking time to reflect on small victories, lessons, and unexpected wins that unfolded over the previous year is surprisingly valuable. In this practice, gratitude becomes a guiding force, turning ordinary—even challenging—moments into extraordinary retentions.
What if you had a tough year?
Reflecting on positive experiences when you've been dealt a tough hand is especially important. I know there are tough years—trust me, I've had them—but we must recognize our human nature. It's normal to fixate on adverse life events and repetitive struggles.
Negative events overshadow positive events thanks to our negativity bias. It's likely a result of human evolution, but we are hardwired to register and dwell on negativity more readily than equally positive experiences. We all remember traumatic events better than positive ones, insults better than praise, and respond more strongly to difficulties than ease.
The scales are tipped—and not in our favor. Our perception of the negative weighs us down, but does it have to be that way?
In most cases, when you perform a quick audit of your wins for the year, you’ll notice that positive events outnumber the negative ones—even in tough years. To combat the negativity bias, just ask,
Did I experience more positive events than negative ones? Could my positive experiences collectively outweigh the big negative ones?
Chances are there were a lot of good or, at the very least, neutral experiences. Count these wins. You can also look for gifts in the negative—the silver linings. Ask yourself, what can I learn from this experience that I can be grateful for?
Most times, there are valuable opportunities for growth in challenging events. Finding something to be grateful for in the suffering won’t diminish the suffering altogether—some life events are truly horrible. It doesn’t necessarily make it easy, but it does make it easier.
Things don't happen to you; they happen for you.
Whether you faced adversity or celebrated triumphs in 2023, every experience contributes to your growth. Gratitude allows you to sift through these experiences, extracting valuable lessons and finding silver linings. Through this lens, challenges become learning opportunities, and setbacks become stepping stones toward resilience.
Reflect and Reset
The power of positive reflection, cultivated through practicing gratitude, is a transformative force that can shape the trajectory of your life. It’s hard to articulate the benefits I've experienced in my life by cultivating daily gratitude.
Just over ten years ago, I was told I'd never walk again, and in the wake of my trauma, I chose gratitude. It propelled me to new heights, and if you read my last blog post, you'll know what I'm talking about—climbing mountains and skiing untouched powder was not supposed to be part of my plan. Gratitude propelled me to new heights!
By employing positive reflection and staying focused on your goals, you pave the way for a year filled with purpose, growth, and fulfillment. As you embark on your year, let gratitude be your constant companion, turning each step into a celebration of progress and each day into a canvas for new possibilities.
Reference:
Cherry, K. (2023, November 13). Why our brains are hardwired to focus on the negative. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/negative-bias-4589618
