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Friday Retrospective

As a habit 

I take my time and sit down every Friday and reflect on the past week. For this task I have a journal where I take some notes. I am not a hundred percent consequential to be honest even though the effects it had on my life are severe. As a standard scheme I ask myself five questions.

1. What was the most important change?
For me it was my inoculation, which I had today. It wasn't the event itself, but more the perspective it triggered. The hope to see and meet friends and family, clients and colleagues again some day soon overwhelmed me. I am absolutely convinced that I belong to the lucky ones who benefited tremendously from the pandemic with all its ups and downs, so I don't want to sound self pitying. But like everyone I have been hurting. Hurting to see my kids not being able to visit their Granny, hurting not being able to meet with loved ones far away once in a while. Compared to that the restrictions at work felt miniscule. And now for the first time in 18 months I feel a strong sense of hope. It feels great to have a perspective for normality, even though I assume it is going to be a 'new normal'.

2. What did you learn?
I learned two valuable lessons. First: Storytelling is a superpower - and (as we all know) 'With great power comes great responsibility.' I finished reading an outstanding book (Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks) and learned about the impact of good storytelling. It is not my first book on that topic and since the authors are generally good story tellers themselves, the quality of their writing is usually beyond great especially compared to authors with a different focus. The book I read before was written by a world class triathlete, which was a great read as well. However in terms of writing skills you can clearly see the difference between a pro triathlete and a pro writer and storyteller. 
Second: Sometimes people just want someone to listen to them. They don't want any advice or assessment or comments or help or anything. They just want to share a story. In order to be a good story teller, it helps to be a good story listener in the first place :-)

3. Who and how did you help?
This week I had a shocking moment at work: Some tasks which were assigned to a colleague and which I had assumed(!) were already long done had not really been done - in fact progress on those tasks had been standing still ever since they were started a few months back. My results are largely decoupled from those tasks, but in the end I concluded, it would fall back on the entire team. So I offered my help. Because I did and because I was able to help, I feel a little less bad about the risk that we might miss the deadline. In the process I worked together with a small quick reaction force. I am always baffled how much a few guys can achieve with too little time, too little ressources and a sense of panik. Sadly I have to admit that I was also reminded of one bit of advice from one of my mentors: 'Assumption is the mother of all mess up.' Mental note to myself: Never assume, if you have the option to check the facts.

4. Who did you make happy?
I had an extensive trampoline session with my boys and managed to catapult them until they were so exhausted that they left the trampoline voluntarily - which was a first. I will certainly not do that again soon, as my legs are probably going to fall off soon. But according to their constant screaming and laughing these were ostensibly moments of utter joy and happiness for them - and for me. :-)

5. What will you do next to grow?
Next week I will start to read a new book I have been looking forward to reading for a long time. Also I will finish a big task I've been putting in quite some effort. Therefore when it is done I will reward myself with some delicious white wine. Last but least I will keep my daily routines going and not break the chain.

Again I have shared one of my secrets to growth and self improvement with you. In the hope it may inspire you to find your own path to tap into your true potential I leave you with that. Go, think and be ready to grab great opportunities to do epic things.
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