goals – Rational-Understanding.com

Introduction

Motivational Reflexivity is a process of self-reflection aimed at understanding and aligning beliefs with reality and ethical values, ultimately enhancing personal well-being. This guide presents a step-by-step method tailored to your interests or relaxation activities to make the practice more engaging and enjoyable. Additionally, this guide can be used to address internal obstacles to achieving specific life goals, such as career success, academic recognition, or improved relationships.

A downloadable pdf and a set of Powerpoint slides are also available at https://rational-understanding.com/my-books#enjoyable-practice

Preparation

Before starting, choose a quiet, comfortable environment. Have a notebook or digital tool ready to record your reflections.

Step 1: Chose your Goal and Theme

Consider a specific practical goal you would like to achieve in life. For example:

Recognition for academic efforts.
Securing a better job.
Building a happier family life.

Frame your reflexivity practice around a favourite pastime or relaxation activity. For example:

Gardening: Imagine tending a mental garden.
Sports: Treat this as a mental training session.
Art: Visualize sketching or sculpting your thoughts.
Cooking: Think of preparing a recipe for personal growth.

Step 2: Identify a Belief

Reflect on a belief that has been influencing your ability to achieve your goal.

Use a metaphor from your theme to visualize this belief:

Gardening: Is this a beautiful shrub or bindweed in your mental garden?
Sports: Is this belief helping or hindering your performance?
Art: Is this a master stroke or a disaster in progress?
Cooking: Is this ingredient enhancing or spoiling the dish?

Write down the belief and its potential impact on your well-being or your progress toward the goal.

Step 3: Understand the Origins

Explore where this belief came from. Is it self-formed or influenced by external factors, such as family, peers, or societal expectations?

Gardening: What is the root of this belief?
Sports: Who coached or introduced this mindset to you?
Art: What inspired this vision or theme?
Cooking: Where did this recipe or ingredient originate?

Note whether the belief is self-formed or adopted from external influences.

Step 4: Evaluate Its Impact

Assess how this belief affects your life or your progress toward the goal:

Gardening: Is this plant thriving or choking other growth?
Sports: Is this strategy scoring points or causing fouls?
Art: Does this piece fit the final vision or clash with the theme?
Cooking: Does this ingredient balance or overwhelm the dish?

Rate the belief as:

Positive: Contributes to well-being or goal achievement.
Neutral: Has little effect.
Negative: Detracts from well-being or progress.

Step 5: Challenge and Refine

For your goal, ask:

Is this belief consistent with reality?
What evidence supports or contradicts it?
How might I satisfy the need driving this belief in a healthier way?
How does this belief directly impact my progress toward the goal?

If the belief is negative or unhelpful:

Gardening: Remove or prune the weed and consider planting something more beneficial.
Sports: Reassess the play and adopt a better strategy.
Art: Revise the sketch or try a different medium.
Cooking: Adjust the recipe or replace the ingredient.

Step 6: Integrate New Insights

Adopt a revised belief or strategy that aligns better with reality, your values, and practical goal:

Gardening: Nurture your new plant and ensure it thrives.
Sports: Practice the improved play until it becomes second nature.
Art: Add details to complete the new piece.
Cooking: Savor the updated dish and make it a staple in your repertoire.

For your practical goal, identify actionable steps that incorporate your new belief. For example:

Apply for a job using a revised, confident mindset.
Approach family interactions with a belief in mutual understanding and patience.

Write down the new belief and how you plan to reinforce it in daily life or goal pursuit.

Step 7: Reflect and Celebrate

Take a moment to reflect on what you’ve learned and accomplished:

Gardening: Enjoy the beauty of your flourishing garden.
Sports: Celebrate the progress in your mental conditioning.
Art: Step back and admire your work.
Cooking: Share your dish with others or savour it alone.

For your practical goal, reflect on:

How has this process brought you closer to your goal?
What tangible steps have you taken or plan to take?

Consider setting a schedule to revisit and refine your practice regularly.

Additional Suggestions for Practitioners

Practitioners can further enhance their experience by implementing the following ideas:

Journaling Prompts: Use reflective prompts to explore beliefs more deeply, such as “What do I truly value?” or “What holds me back from achieving my goals?”
Visualization Exercises: Imagine your life after achieving your goal, and identify which beliefs are stepping stones or obstacles.
Mindfulness Techniques: Pair reflection with mindfulness practices like breathwork or walking meditation to stay grounded.
Celebrate Small Wins: After each session, reward yourself with a small treat or relaxing activity to acknowledge your efforts.
Incorporate Music or Ambiance: Play background music or use soothing lighting to make your environment more inviting.
Habit Stacking: Integrate reflexivity into your routine by pairing it with existing habits, such as journaling after morning coffee or reflecting during an evening walk.

Closing Notes

Motivational Reflexivity is a journey, not a one-time task. By integrating it with a relaxing and familiar activity and using it to overcome obstacles to a specific goal, you can make the process enjoyable and enriching. Remember, growth takes time, so be patient and kind to yourself.