Wednesday, July 13, 2005

to reflect or not to reflect

When I was at college we were taught that reflection is a key part of youth work and life in general. The term that was used was being a 'reflective practitioner.' As I sat on a retreat day for youth workers/pastors/ministers organised by Pete I began to go back to a thought I've had a few times over the past months, is it possible to be too reflective. My personality is naturally to be a reflective person and I spend much time doing this. I however find myself at times almost in a state of reflective paralysis as I analyse everything I do and worry about the consequences and repercussions. Reflection is important but so is living, I'm going to try and not give into fear of failure which I'm prone to and try for some new things.

4 comments:

Louise said...

I totally agree with your sense that one can be over-reflective!! Like you, reflection to me is as natural as breathing - it's spontaneity I have a problem with! I competely empathise with that sense of reflective paralysis. And where's the line between reflection and procrastination?!

Weird Hippy said...

Amen. I feel like being spontaneous, i'm going to take a holiday. Perhaps not i think i have a practice recording to write. I'll aim for the effective and reflective national occupational standard for my portfolio. I dear i think i've gone back in time. Still don't miss it.

Pete Lev said...

Guess it depends on your personality and temprament, as you say. I know some youthworkers who never stop to think. But I see the danger of paralysis

Anonymous said...

reflection, ahhh my most favourite thing...
you can spend so much time reflecting you actually forget to learn or do anything in the first place..INNIT!!!!!
Meglet xxx