One of my favorite subjects in leadership and career coaching sessions is journaling, which I call reflective thinking.
Sports teams practice and musicians and actors rehearse to improve their performance. So, what does a leader do to improve their performance?
When a crucial play is at hand, the TV cameras zero in on the head coach on the sidelines in a football game. The reality is he has the worst seat in the house from which to make a critical decision. He relies on coaches high in the press box who have a better perspective. They have been able to see and understand what their opponents have been doing. After the game, the coaches will review the game film from the top of the press box to see where they can improve.
Your thoughts and observations of crucial meetings, decisions, and incidents from your journal provide that insight. Your journal becomes that game film.