Shilpa Pulapaka
I’ve been teaching the importance of reflective practice to my management students and I was surprised how many of them don’t even spend a few minutes to think about their day! How many of us really do though? Well, I only started some years ago but I’ve already experienced its benefits first hand. I wish I had learnt to reflect at a young age — it would have allowed me to step into adulthood with a little more confidence!
Reflective practice, in my opinion, is just another name for self-awareness and mindful introspection. The technical definition is ‘the process of critically reviewing and analysing one’s experiences, actions, and decisions in a particular field to identify areas for improvement and enhance professional development’ — but all that just means, know yourself well enough to make the necessary changes to improve your practices, thoughts, and actions. Assuming you are being honest, it can only be a positive practice in all walks of life. Regardless of the career we are in, reflection allows us, professional practitioners, to get a deeper understanding of our work, enhance our problem-solving skills, and help us continuously learn and grow.
Before I get into the benefits and applications of reflective practice — here are some things to consider. Despite its numerous benefits one major drawback is that, constantly reflecting on our life/actions/practices can be time-consuming and emotionally draining. So, it is important that we allocate a specific time (I do it before bed) and process to it (I journal, so I can write it, process it and forget it — allows for a good night’s sleep!). The other issue with reflective practice is that it requires us to be absolutely honest and critical with ourselves (Chong & Ng, 2020) — even about our most embarrassing traits. So, if you are not one that can admit to your own flaws, reflective practice may be daunting for you.
If you can learn to develop a thick skin and deal with the above-mentioned inconveniences, and are keen to expedite your career growth then, please keep reading!
Reflective practice has benefits in any career, but its impact is tenfold in jobs that are customer/client/people facing, in my opinion — only because the outcome for customers makes a great parameter for assessing the effectiveness of your reflection. So, these are people in teaching, nursing, coaching, business. Reviewing and reflecting regularly helps professionals learn from their mistakes, improve their performance, and enhance their skills.
For example: In nursing, reflective practice is essential because it helps nurses evaluate their actions and decisions to enhance patient care. According to Papastavrou et al. (2020), by reflecting on their experiences, nurses can identify areas for improvement and enhance their skills, which can lead to better patient outcomes. Similarly, reflective practice for teachers is critical because it helps teachers evaluate their teaching strategies, identify areas for improvement, and enhance student learning. According to Peters and Bullock (2020), reflective practice is an essential component of effective teaching because it helps teachers develop a deeper understanding of their students’ needs, enhance their instructional strategies, and promote continuous learning and growth.
Additionally, people in social work, coaching, and business can use reflective practice to improve their skills and aim for better outcomes for their clientele. In social work, it enhances communication skills and promotes cultural competence (Bogo et al., 2020). In coaching reflective practice helps identify areas for improvement and promotes client well-being (Hill et al., 2020). In business, reflective practice helps professionals enhance their problem-solving skills, identify areas for improvement, and promote organizational growth (Klecka et al., 2020).
If you have a non-client facing role, however, I am sure this is still a great tool to enhance your career development.
So, what does reflective practice look like? Here are some simple reflective practice strategies that you can apply to improve professionally:
1. Regular Self-Reflection: Take some time on a regular basis to reflect on your work experiences. Think about what went well, what could have been done better, and what you learned from the experience. This can be done at the end of the day or week.
2. Write a Reflective Journal: Keep a reflective journal where you can record your thoughts and reflections on your work experiences. Writing down your reflections can help you clarify your thinking and identify areas for improvement.
3. Seek Feedback: Ask for feedback from colleagues, supervisors, and clients on your work. Consider their feedback and use it to identify areas for improvement.
4. Peer Reflection: Reflect with a peer who works in the same field. Discuss your experiences, share feedback, and collaborate to identify strategies for improvement.
5. Attend Professional Development Programs: Attend workshops, seminars, and training programs that promote reflective practice in your field. These programs can provide you with new insights, skills, and strategies for enhancing your practice.
6. Use Online Resources: Use online resources, such as blogs, podcasts, and webinars, to learn from experts in your field. These resources can provide you with new perspectives and ideas for enhancing your practice.
7. Take Breaks: I cannot emphasise this point enough! Take regular breaks during the workday to reflect on your work and recharge. Reflecting during breaks can help you stay focused and engaged in your work. It is also a good way to manage your stress and emotions throughout the day.
In conclusion, reflective practice is an essential practice we need to hold onto. It helps us develop a deeper understanding of our work, enhance our problem-solving skills, and promote continuous learning and growth. Reflective practice is also a great tool to keep track of our strengths, areas for improvement, stress levels and emotions. Basically, a great way to become more self-aware and make informed choices in our life and careers. Therefore, teaching this practice at a young age can help the next generation tremendously. I really would like to see reflective practice introduced at school level where it can have a positive impact on young minds. If nothing else, this practice could help the adolescent minds to be more comfortable with their shortcomings and teach them that it is possible to learn and grow!
References:
Bogo, M., Regehr, C., Katz, E., Logie, C., & Tufford, L. (2020). Evaluating the impact of reflective supervision on social work practice: A systematic review. Research on Social Work Practice, 30(5), 513–526.
Chong, S. S., & Ng, S. W. (2020). Reflective practice in nursing: A narrative review. Nurse Education Today, 85, 104299.
Hill, C. E., Knox, S., Crook-Lyon, R. E., Hess, S. A., Miles, J. R., & Spangler, P. T. (2020). The effectiveness of therapist self-disclosure as an adjunct to reflective functioning training