Introspection goes back to the ways of ancient human thinking. This practice is also known as nepsis, which means “sober introspection”. This is the process of people observing conflicts between the heart and the mind. It is meant for people to learn from their mistakes and to reflect on their true nature, the contemplation of self.
In modern psychological sciences, introspection is known as “experimental self-observation”. Researchers have found that individuals who reflect to understand past events are able to enhance and add meaning to their lives. Furthermore, the process has been shown to have numerous benefits for problem-solving, mental health, and future planning.
Research conducted by Cynthia Roberts in 2008 also suggested that reflection can broaden one’s horizons, leading to a “more holistic understanding of complex or ambiguous situations.” In understanding all aspects of the self, including personal, public, and professional personas, one can develop a clear picture of their whole person.
Researchers uncovered that “introspection improves problem solving performance, sometimes dramatically. Several studies suggest that self-observation, self-monitoring, and self-reflection play a key role in developing problem solving strategies.” Introspection can be used to break down the challenges we face so that we can better understand them. Reflecting on past experiences may help us to recall similar situations in which we either solved an issue or found our attempts fell short.
By taking the time to reflect on your sources of stress, or the common causes of anxiety, you will be better placed to recognise when your mental health may be under pressure. When stress arises, feeling confident in practicing introspection will allow you to remain focused and avoid succumbing to a negative thought cycle. Taking a solution-based approach, self-reflection can help avoid ruminating on a difficult situation, and instead use reflective practice to strive towards insight into how to overcome an issue or reach a goal.
By practicing introspection, you can review your personal and professional performance to plan future development. If something went well, aim to do more of it. Conversely, in areas that have not been successful, consider adjustments that will ensure you avoid making the same mistake twice.
When thinking about leadership roles in the workplace, an individual who practices introspection will demonstrate enhanced professional skills. Incorporating such self-reflection into leadership training could help professionals to listen more effectively, manage change, and better clarify arguments. But you don’t need any formal training to start benefiting from introspection. Mental health and self improvement is a topic that never gets old. With the end of the semester approaching for some, I think it's important to adopt new strategies like introspection.
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