Taking Ownership: How Reflection Transforms Decision-Making

Reflection has been one of the most transformative tools in my journey, especially when it comes to decision-making.

When I first started studying leadership, one of the coaching classes I took really stuck with me. It taught me the importance of processing experiences and reflecting on them to grow. But at that time in my life, I wasn’t fully ready to trust myself to make decisions. I felt like I needed guidance but didn’t want to ask anyone I knew, so I came up with what I called my “mental board of directors.”

Here’s how it worked: I’d read books by inspiring leaders and thinkers, and whenever I had to make a decision, I’d imagine what they would do in my situation. I’d reflect on their advice, think about their perspectives, and use that to guide my choices. While this helped me get started, I eventually realized something was missing: my own voice.

As I grew, I began to let go of that mental board of directors. Reflection became less about asking, What would someone else do? and more about asking myself, What do I want? What’s the next best step for my growth?

This shift was empowering. I started taking full ownership of my decisions, focusing on leveling up in ways that aligned with my values and goals. Instead of relying on external validation, I trusted that my reflections would guide me toward the right path.

The key was giving myself permission to ask, If I were really taking ownership of my life, what would I do next? That question became a turning point—not just in how I made decisions but in how I approached every aspect of my life.

If you’ve ever struggled to trust yourself, start by reflecting on your own experiences. What have you learned from the decisions you’ve made in the past? How can those lessons guide you now? Trust that your voice matters, and that you’re capable of making choices that move you forward.

Call to Action:

Revisit Chapter 11 of Beauty from Chaos for more insights on how reflection can help you take ownership of your journey. Start asking yourself today: What’s my next best step?