Autobiography by Portia Nelson

Guru’s seem to love talking about the power of meditation.

But is it really the act of sitting idly, fighting to control the primal urge to do anything but?

Or is the ability to control and direct one’s thoughts?

Or is it the simple ability to do it every day, consistently, that yields power over time?

At some level, it must also be the ability to self-reflect, to learn from one’s actions, to control and direct our lives.

So perhaps, beyond the act of meditation, the real lesson is to constantly self reflect. When we look deep within ourselves, we find answers to what lies on the surface.

Meditation then becomes the how, and not the why.

1. Use a journal — Write down what happened, why you felt it happened, and what you can do to make sure it happens in a way that you want.

2. Make it a daily habit — First, we make our habits, then our habits make us. 

3. Constantly ask yourself what you can do differently — Gain knowledge but also seek to gain wisdom. 

Surfing the world wide web, I came across a poem by Portia Nelson that helps to sum up the process within our lives. How many times must we make the same mistake before we begrudgingly learn? Five short chapters. 

AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS

by Portia Nelson

Chapter One

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost… I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter Two 

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in this same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter Three 

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in… it’s a habit… but,
my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter Four 

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter Five 

I walk down another street.

[End of Poem] 

Ask yourself, why I am still fat? Why am I still mediocre? What skills do I have to offer the world?

Then read about people who are fit, rich, famous, and successful.

Then read about ways to gain skills.

Then read about ways to conquer mediocrity.

Then self-reflect. Make changes.

Then, walk down another street.

At its simplest, reflection is about careful thought. But the kind of reflection that is really valuable to leaders is more nuanced than that. The most useful reflection involves the conscious consideration and analysis of beliefs and actions for the purpose of learning. Reflection gives the brain an opportunity to pause amidst the chaos, untangle and sort through observations and experiences, consider multiple possible interpretations, and create meaning. This meaning becomes learning, which can then inform future mindsets and actions. For leaders, this “meaning making” is crucial to their ongoing growth and development. – HBR

Onward,

Chief