Principles of Success: Last Day- Day 10 (Reflection)

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14d (edited) • $/Generativity(life's calling)

In the past few days we spoke about the first 9 principles of success as described in "The Rhythm of Life" by Matthew Kelly (more here : day-1-purpose; day-2-priorities; day-3-balance; day-4-discipline; day-5-growth;-day-6-faith; -day-7-relationships; day-8-generosity; day-9-integrity)Today we delve into the tenth and last principle: Reflection. And then we're done!!!!!!

(Just a small but important note, the term success here can be applied to many areas of life, and ultimately, it's really just about intentionally becoming the best version of yourself.)

PRINCIPLE 10: REFLECTION

“Without reflection, life loses its rhythm.”

In the book, this step of the process is where everything else that's been talked about it either integrated or lost or just becomes performative. Meaning...discipline turns into rigidity, generosity into depletion, relationships into neglect, integrity into image managing, faith into performance, etc, etc. It ends up being the opposite of success. The author describes the act of reflecting as essential to learning, course-correcting and gratitude. It's yet another way to help us live intentionally rather than reactively or on auto pilot.

Most people don’t avoid reflection because they’re busy (though this is often what we tell ourselves); they avoid it because reflection threatens the stories they use to stay comfortable/to push a narrrative forward. Silence and reflection expose rationalization/justifications/excuses. Slowing down interrupts momentum and reflection asks questions like: What am I doing? Why? At what cost? So we substitute distraction for insight and call it productivity...because that's the easiest path right now...But...At what cost?

Awareness/reflection happens before change. Without this pause, we keep living out the same loops while expecting different results. Reflection is the discipline that protects all the others.

Per the book: Success without reflection becomes motion without meaning and reflection turns experience into wisdom. Reflection is not passive. It is the courage to stop running long enough to tell yourself the truth....and then live like it actually matters.

POLL: What Keeps You From Reflecting Honestly?

REFLECTION Question: What pattern in your life keeps repeating?

Action Steps:

Schedule 10–15 minutes each evening to reflect on your day.

Ask: “What went well? What didn’t? What can I improve tomorrow?”

Keep a weekly journal summarizing lessons learned and insights gained

Staying busy to avoid discomfort

Fear of what I might have to change

Belief that reflection is unproductive

Difficulty tolerating silence or stillness

Shame about past choices

I’m intentionally building reflection into my life