The Power of Self Reflection: Why and How

In 2017 ish, I was invited to contribute to the book called the “Power of Facilitation”. Kimberly Bain, the editor and master-mind of the book project had seen me do the PATH process for individuals and groups. And thus she asked me to write a chapter about the power of self reflection and self facilitation. You can learn more about PATH on this webpage:

https://northstarfacilitators.com/the-path-process/

The Why:

I have always loved doing my own visioning and planning but did not have the right tools to do this until I was trained in facilitation in the mid 1990’s.  The courses I took taught me how to be much more impactful with visioning, strategic thinking and setting objectives. All of the frameworks I share in the book chapter use imagery, i.e., visual symbols, etc. Using images, I have learned through by own intensive experimenting, makes a huge difference. The images help make the vision and plan much more real, help me recall my plan and commitments at will, and give me a sense of optimism in attaining the dreams I set out for myself.

I think my life has been more intentional and more impactful because of regular self-reflection and planning sessions. In general, I take 1/2 -1 day every 3-5 years to fully recreate a life and work plan. I use different methods depending on my mood and time available. Once created, I review my vision and plan every day for weeks afterwards to help “cement” it. I review the written version (usually a hard copy) every 6 months to a year to see what has materialized. I am often surprised to see how the plan has unfolded. It may not be exactly as I imagined but often it is far richer than I could ever have conjured up myself. Not only do I attain the goals, but new things occur that double the pleasure and impact. Of course there are things that do not materialize in the timeframe I set out. When this occurs, I know two things: either they were not as important as I thought they might be 2-3 years ago, or their time has not yet come.

The How:

In the book chapter, I share three frameworks or tools I have used to facilitate myself. You can read the details in the chapter (plus the whole book with some beautiful wisdom sharing from experienced facilitators all over the globe) for free here. 

In addition, Ramesh Srinivasan of Leadfac Solutions (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramesh-srinivasan-b297293a/) kindly included me in his upcoming podcast called “Candid Convos” to be released on August 15, 2025, India’s independence day!! He asked me great questions about the Self reflection chapter, so if you prefer listening to reading, this will give you another angle to think about bringing more intentional and focused self-reflection time into your life and facilitation practice.

I will summarize the three frameworks  briefly here with a few photos. Note: I do not include one of most powerful frameworks I use as it is a bit too tricky to do on your own without having had extensive training in ToP (ICA’s Technology of Participation) methods. However, if you have taken ToP training and learned the ToP strategic planning model, I highly recommend that as well for your own self-facilitated planning. Allow for several days broken into 2-3 hour chunks to do this 4-5 part framework for best results.

So here are the three in brief that I include in the book chapter.

#1 Collage and ToP Focused Conversation: 

Sometimes we call these story boards, but this method uses only images. You gather small pictures and words from various photo sources that you find beautiful, inspiring or intriguing. You create a collage of them or gather them into themes.  Then you reflect on your completed image or story board using sequenced questions (following the ToP ORID framework) such as:

• What catches my eye? What images and colours repeat?
• What is the mood or feeling of the board? What do I feel as I look at it? What impresses me? What surprises me? Excites me?
• What about this feels doable? What seems a stretch or impossible? What might I do to create the conditions for that “impossible” thing to materialize?
• What are the first 2-3 things I could start making come true? How might I start?

Here is a collage I made for myself over ten years ago before I knew I would 1) take up sea kayaking (see whales jumping out of sea photo) and cold-dipping in the ocean 2) participate in the creation of Damiana, (see last blog), our global and culturally diverse project to support women earth stewards/ heroes who create solutions to the eco-challenges humans have created around the globe (see multiple photos and words about women as story-tellers and change agents) By the way, I do free mentoring for women leading in earth stewardship and climate projects in return for a donation of your choice to Damiana. Then you gift back to other women doing this work!!

#2 P.A.T.H. (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope) 

This is an 8 step process of visioning and goal setting using graphic images and words. I have had colleagues whom I have trained in P.A.T.H. facilitate me through the process at least five times over the last few decades. I have also facilitated myself through the process. If you plan to do this for groups, I highly recommend you have one of my associates do a P.A.T.H. for you so you really get a sense of the pacing and process.

This latest (early 2023) beautiful PATH for me was facilitated and graphically drawn by my dear graphic facilitator friend and colleague, Rosanna von Sacken. I have completed 80% of the goals and vision!!

I have written a lot about PATH on my website and in the book chapter. Please check out this link for more on the steps, and my associates who might be available to do your PATH.

#3 Grove Personal Compass Workbook 

Grove Consultants out of California, USA, has many published tools including a beautiful personal development large workbook with many self-reflection templates including detailed instructions. I talk about one template in particular (what you spend your time on vs what you’d like to spend your time on) in the podcast which you may also find very helpful. We’ll be sure to post the link to the podcast conversation in our next blog and on social media.

Here are the first pages of another exercise from the hard copy workbook that I have done. Please check out this product on their website! Go the page called “Personal Development”.

This workbook is versatile in that you can do each template in the order given, or pick one exercise that might be particularly needed at this moment of your life. One of the templates is creating a timeline of your life. I always find it helpful to do a “scan” (like doing an environmental scan for groups) of your life: what has gone on before – major events,  and what is currently going on. This gives you the opportunity to see patterns and trends and reflect on the lessons of the past and present that you’d like to carry forward into the future.

Key Message:

My key message to you in the book chapter, the podcast and this blog is that there is a lot of power in self reflection. It will make you a far better person and facilitator. You will be leading a life of few regrets because you commit to do what is most important for you to do with what you have been given in this lifetime.

Each of us has unique life experiences, unique genetics, and periods of luck and grace in our lives. Take all of that and do the very best you can to make a difference to all the elements of this planet: animals, birds, plants, rocks, humans. We are all in this together. Only by practicing reciprocity and generosity toward all things and beings, will we have a chance of thriving in the next few decades.

Thank you for reading!! Please reach out whenever you wish: bmackay at northstarfacilitators.com

It gives me great joy to connect with those on the facilitator path.

Again, here is the link to the free book: https://facpower.org/.