Stunning viewsWhen you step out of the train in St Jean-Pied-de-Port you will meet an impressive sight of mountain peaks around you. You are at the foot of the Pyrenees and walking the Camino to Santiago de Compostela from here means you will have to cross these mountains on your first day out.

On the evening before I set off on my own Camino, one of the hospitaleros in the Auberge in St Jean-Pied-de-Port advised me to remember to look back, many of the most beautiful views are behind you.

Those mountain peaks are attractive when you start the day of walking. Halfway the day however the feeling starts to rise that, despite all the climbing you have already done, you never seem to get any closer. The view on the peaks has changed, yet they seem to remain at a distance.

This was for me a moment to stop and look back. I enjoyed the stunning view over the valleys and this moment of reflection made me realize the progress I had already made. With renewed energy I continued and the peaks seemed just a little closer.

Looking back or reflecting is a good way to realize what you are doing and what you have accomplished already. Focused on a goal we tend to forget to be consciously aware of the progress we make. We often experience our current state as a given.

As your coach I will ask you to reflect and thus to be aware of the progress that you have already made. You might want to keep a journal, as it will help you to make reflection an embedded part of your own journey for improvement.

At the end of an alliance workshop I will ask you to reflect and write down the most important item that you have learned in the workshop, that you will apply in your work tomorrow.

Good reflection is a moment that makes you consciously aware of your current situation and the progress you have made. It will help you to clearly see the road ahead and it will allow you to adjust when and where needed.

Some people are well aware of the need for reflection and they have embedded their own methodology to reflect frequently in their life. Some people need help to reflect objectively, they can seek to work with a coach.

How about you, are you still on the right track, or is it time to reflect?

 


Peter is the coach and mentor you want by your side during those “headwind” situations, when progress seems difficult, as well as “tailwind” situations when the wind is at your back and there’s a need to sustain focus during fast paced growth. He has a great instinct for bridging connections and a talent for delivering strategic solutions for optimal business impactJanice Babia-Ramos - Global Marketing Director - Johnson and Johnson