Reflecting on the Past to Build a Better Future, Ep #185

This last year, when the COVID lockdowns happened, I took advantage of the space in my schedule to get started on a physical fitness routine, and I tell you, I made some great progress. It was a decision that benefited me in multiple ways and made me feel better overall. But once the pandemic restrictions lessened, I slacked on my new habit. It was a choice I made, but it was fueled by a handful of lies that I was telling myself, things like, “I do not have the time anymore” or “It is not that important.” The reality is that my fitness routine was one of the best things I was doing for my health and overall productivity and success.

I did not come to this realization until I took time to reflect on the past year. When I did, it all came into focus and I found an area in my life where I can make a change that improves my life going forward. Taking the time to reflect is powerful. This episode is aimed at giving you the tools you need to use the power of reflection in beneficial ways in your life.

Outline of This Episode

• What is reflection? [1:29]
• Studies that show the importance and benefits of reflection [9:10]
• Questions to help you reflect on the last year [11:32]

What IS reflection?

If we are going to take the time to reflect, we should start out with a clear definition of what we mean.

REFLECT: Serious thought or consideration

This kind of consideration can be focused on anything — your day, your week, the last year (what we will be doing), recent events, or serious situations or truths. There is honestly no limit to what you can spend time reflecting upon.

In this episode, what I am encouraging you to do is to come with me on a guided process of reflection on what took place in the past year (2021). If we are going to take our role as Family Stewards seriously, then reflection is essential. Why? Let us just recap the situation we all went through this past year: When COVID hit, we were all busy with the activities and responsibilities of life. But the pandemic slowed our pace of life, in some cases to a crawl. We had the opportunity to sit with family at dinner, to have deeper and longer conversations, to reflect on things in ways we truly needed. But now that life has picked up its pace once again, we have pushed some or many of those things out of our lives again, to our detriment. A time of intentional reflection is going to serve all of us well if we wish to keep the benefits of the things we learned in the past year.

QUESTION: Was 2021 mostly a good year or mostly a bad year?

When we answer questions like this our minds take a very natural and expected turn. We recall one or two major life events and whether or not those were positive or negative, we make our assessment of the entire year. So, for example…

• Did you get married in 2021?
• Following the advice outline on this podcast, did you get out of debt?
• Did you buy or moved into a new home?
• Did you start a new career or job?

Those are all exciting things, so if you experienced them in the last year you may feel your year was a good one. But what if you…

• lost your home or your job?
• Experienced the death of a loved one?
• Endured a health crisis?

If those types of things characterized your 2021, you may say it was a bad year.

But here is the point: Good or bad, there are many lessons that can be learned from the things we experienced. Circumstances, mistakes, etc. can be used to our benefit if we take the time to reflect on them and glean the lessons they have to teach us. Our mind has the ability to view circumstances as opportunities or obstacles, it is our choice. As we make changes based on the lessons we learn from 2021, we can make 2022 a great year.

QUESTION: How did you grow as a person?

This is one of my favorite reflection questions to ask myself. Why? Because it forces me to take a long hard look at myself and to make an assessment of the kind of person I am day to day. This is so helpful when it comes to making improvements in my life. So, ask yourself, compared to the previous year, how did you improve your character or personality traits in 2021? Use what you find as indicators of areas where you can make improvements to continue growing. If we all did this, the world would be a different (better) place. But it can only start with you and with me. We have to make the decision to reflect and then to take action based on our reflection.

I highlight a handful more questions in the episode, so be sure to listen!

Resources Mentioned

• University of Zurich study on reflection
• The Association for Psychological Science, Research on Reflection
• Rice University study on Reflection

Connect With Scott Wellens

• Schedule a discovery call with Scott
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• Visit Fortress Planning Group
• Connect with Scott on LinkedIn
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• Fortress Planning Group on Facebook

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Podcast Disclaimer:

The Best In Wealth Podcast is hosted by Scott Wellens. Scott Wellens is the principal at Fortress Planning Group. Fortress Planning Group is a registered investment advisory firm regulated by the Securities Act of Wisconsin in accordance and compliance with securities laws and regulations. Fortress Planning Group does not render or offer to render personalized investment or tax advice through the Best In Wealth Podcast. The information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, investment or legal advice.

About the author, Scott Wellens

Scott Wellens, CFP® is an investment advisor and founder of Fortress Planning Group. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Scott quickly ascended to become a Vice President of North American Sales at a major regional provider of telecommunications infrastructure. While financially successful in this role, Scott searched for ways to pursue his passion related to financial literacy and providing financial freedom for both his own family and others. During his search, Scott became curious about the significant gap he found in the financial services sector: he was unable to find a comprehensive financial planner that maintained a family stewardship lens without being attached to financial products. Scott decided to fill that gap by creating his own planning firm that maintains a strong passion for comprehensive, unbiased wealth planning that is genuinely client-centered.

Scott resides in Menomonee Falls, WI with his family. He is the father of three active and independent daughters who keep him on his toes. Scott is an active community member, serving on the Hamilton Education Foundation Board, serves as a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace facilitator and leads the All Pro Dad’s group at their local elementary school. Scott enjoys spending his free time visiting state parks with his family, reading, and watching the Milwaukee Bucks and the Green Bay Packers win ball games.

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