Getty

Be honest: when was the last time you considered your professional future? Most likely, it was in a rare moment between to-dos or meetings, a passing yet nagging thought. And you probably told yourself youd think about what was next in your career when you werent so busy.

Not surprisingly, youre still waiting for that reflection time to arrive.

Interestingly, the wordreflectcomes from Old Frenchreflectermeaningto divert, to turn aside, deflect, and Latinreflecteremeaning bend back, turn back. When we reflect then, we must first divert from our current reality and then turn our thoughts back to look ahead.

In a world where external demands and a cacophony of noise bombard us, taking the time to turn inward and think deeply may be the ultimate luxuryand the best way to figure out whats next in your career.

Heres how to make the most of reflection:

Feel like you have no time?Take control of your calendarby mapping out how youre spending your days. Chances are there are periods of low value and mindless activities (e.g., scrolling through your social media feeds) that could be better spent. Treat reflection as essential to your career development by being intentional with your time and proactively scheduling time to think.

Its impossible to think deeply and carefully about your future while youre doing three other things. Resist the temptation to multitask and instead, focus on slowing down to give yourself a chance to findclarityamong your chaos.

Even if youve managed to dedicate time to reflection, its easy to get sidetracked when yourenvironmentincludes external forces vying for your attention. Up your odds for success by turning off notifications, putting your phone on silent or do not disturb, and closing down tabs.

Tough to focus in your office? Change your environment by getting up and taking a walk, preferably outside.Researchsuggests that taking a stroll in nature (or even your local park) enhances brain function, reduces stress, keeps you energized, and improves creativity, all of which contribute to better reflection sessions.

When you permit yourself time to reflect, try not to limit yourself to predetermined topics, or impose any rigid standards. Instead, allow your mind to freely wander, even if your thoughts deviate from your expectations. Remember, its aboutprogress, not perfection.

One of the best things about reflection is what it brings to the surface. We can unconsciously get into the habit of pushing down our deepest desires andfears, using our busyness to mask acknowledging what we want most. In a quiet moment of reflection, use your self-awareness to pay attention to how youre feeling, your reactions, and any new ideas that arise.

Building in time to think is great, but unless you capture your thoughts and goals, youll never be able to devise a plan ofactionto achieve them. Immediately record the results of your reflections by writing them in a journal or recording voice memos. In reviewing your notes, youll start to see some common themes. Use these as the fuel to power to your professional future and whats next in your career.

Visit link:
This Is The Best Way To Figure Out What's Next In Your Career - Forbes