Commit to Doing Better
After reflecting on a mistake, formulate a concrete plan to improve future behavior by building strengths or adding safeguards.
THE IDEA
Step 3: Commit to Doing Better
Formulate a plan for doing better in the future. It could be a matter of building a strength like greater self-accountability or greater self-confidence. Or it could be a matter of installing a safeguard like my friend and coworker did when he realized he’d been failing to see things from other people’s points of view. Either way, you need to make a plan for doing better in the future, and follow through on that plan. Only then will you be able to change how you do things, and avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
When to use it
After a project post-mortem, team members create personal improvement plans.
An individual reflecting on a personal argument develops a communication safeguard.
A manager who received feedback about micromanaging sets a plan to delegate more effectively.
Following a failed sales pitch, a salesperson practices active listening as a strength-building exercise.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Seeing Others' Viewpoints Safeguard
A coworker realized he'd been failing to see things from other people's points of view. He installed a safeguard to remind himself to consider different perspectives.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
What specific behavior do you want to change, and what will be your plan?
How can you make your plan concrete and measurable?
What strengths will you build or safeguards will you install to avoid repeating past mistakes?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Clear Thinking Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results (Shane Parrish)