We often need to give ourselves more credit regarding our knowledge, so looking at everything we’ve learned is essential. We need to consider any formal education, but we also must look at our informal education and those lessons forced upon us by life events (see What event had the most impact you?). For the following exercise, consider every lesson learned, including personal, professional, mundane tasks or processes, significant life changes, etc. The steps suggest starting with a prompt; however, making a list is okay too.
Action steps:
- Set a timer for 15 minutes.
- Get ready to write non-stop for the full 15 minutes.
- Write “What I’ve learned is” and let the words flow naturally after that statement.
- If you get stuck, write “What I’ve learned is” and keep going.
- Once the 15 minutes are up, set your journal aside for a few days.
- Revisit your journal 3-7 days later.
- Are you surprised by anything on the list?
- Have you created a process that you can teach to others?
- Does any lesson stand out in particular to you?
- How can you take what you learned and help others?