The First Quarter
"You are never too old to set another goal
or to dream a new dream."
– C.S. Lewis
This might come as a shock to you...
The first quarter of 2025 is nearly over!
If you are like me, it feels as if the year has barely started. What happened?
Actually - what happened?
If you are looking back at the past three months, what was in them?
Reflection is a powerful tool for teaching our minds to be present. It gives meaning to life. While reflection involves looking back at what has happened, doing it regularly helps our brain prepare for future reflections. Our mind becomes primed to remember what it anticipates will be reflected on in the future. As a result, the brain sends signals that make us more aware of the present moment, preventing us from functioning on autopilot.
Being mindful means being present - noticing what happens, so life does not pass us by on autopilot.
When we take time to reflect, we are tapping into a special part of our brain called the prefrontal cortex. This is the area responsible for our higher thinking skills - like making decisions, solving problems, and understanding ourselves better.
Every time we pause to reflect on our experiences, we're giving this part of our brain a workout. It's like exercise for our mind! This practice helps us analyse our actions, understand why we made certain choices, and plan more effectively for the future.
But here's the really exciting part - reflection doesn't just help us in the moment. It changes our brain structure! Scientists have discovered that when we reflect regularly, we strengthen the connections between our brain cells. It's like creating little pathways of understanding that get stronger every time we use them.
This amazing process is called synaptic plasticity, and it's crucial for learning new skills and adapting our behaviors. By reflecting on our experiences, we're literally reshaping our brains, enhancing our ability to make smarter decisions and adapt our strategies based on what we've learned.
Therefore, a 'First Quarter of the Year Reflection' can serve as a valuable source of information for making course corrections in the upcoming three quarters—and it's also a great way to exercise your brain
Doing such a reflection while following thought-provoking questions might be helpful.
Here are some of the questions I use for reflection and goal setting:
What recent achievements am I proud of?
How have my needs been met?
What gave me joy?
How much have I spent my time and thoughts on what really matters to me?
How much have I spent my money on what really matters to me?
How much have I invested into myself as an asset?
Maybe you pick a question or two and journal about it - or contemplate it during those quiet hours when sleep does not come...
Take special note of what worked well, and don't get hooked on what didn't.
Be kind to yourself—this reflection is about understanding how the first quarter went. Remember, it's already in the past, so if the results don't make you happy, there's no need to get upset or frustrated. The beauty is that you can now use this valuable information to your advantage in the future. For instance, you could use it to set goals for the upcoming quarter.
Maybe you ask yourself:
What skills would I like to develop over the next quarter? Or: What changes would I like to see happen?
What additional training or practice may I need for it?
What would I like to journal about at the end of the upcoming quarter?
The seasons are changing. So can you, if you want to.
You are worth it.
My invitation to you today:
Come up with your way to review the first quarter of 2025 and do it
Make a plan about the second quarter - what would you like to see noticed there?
How can you put some fun into it?
Notice how that feels.
This is your time.
With warmth and support for your individual journey
Mel
