I have recently been working with a psychologist to work through some stress-related issues in my life. One of the questions he asked me to think about was what were some of the things I used to do when I was happier that I don't do now. At first I thought of a lot of the things that I put to the side when I became a parent: singing in a choir, swimming regularly, spontaneity! (haha) However, after I let he question sit for a bit, I realized that one big thing that I had stopped doing was journalling. I was an avid journaler in my youth from when I was about 11 or 12 until just after Teacher's College. I guess I got busy and other things took priority and I just slowly dropped the habit. It's something I have decided to revisit, and perhaps I will do so in digital form so that, like Couros, I can later easily search my posts for references to things I begin to forget as I age. 😉
Secondly, it took me right back to my days at UofC when I was earning my teaching degree. We had to reflect on EVERYTHING! "Reflect" and "pedagogy" were the much-mocked buzzwords of my graduating class that year, the words were used so often and by so many. However, I do see the value in that reflection. Thinking back on a lesson, and determining what went well and what did not is ALWAYS valuable, and has helped me keep my teaching practice fresh and innovative over my 18 year career. Reflecting carefully on what proverbial hill is worth "dying on" in differences of opinion between myself and my administration or a colleague. Reflecting on interactions with parents and how to do better next time (either to stand up for myself better, or learn to compromise a bit more). I believe that reflection is part of our work as teachers, and really for anyone who wants to continue to learn and grow in their line of work.
Like the old saying goes, those who don't know their history are doomed to repeat it... and I would add that those who don't reflect on their mistakes, are doomed to repeat them as well.
