Reflect on the Past, Question the Present

"Experience is not the best teacher. Evaluated experience is." — John C. Maxwell

 

This week, we are diving into two thinking habits that separate the good from the great: Reflective Thinking and Questioning Popular Thinking.

 

These chapters challenge us to slow down, look back, and then stand apart from the crowd.

 

Chapter 7 – The Power of Reflective Thinking In our fast-paced world, it is easy to just keep moving forward without ever pausing to learn from where we’ve been.

 

Maxwell argues that reflective thinking gives you true perspective. It turns your experiences into insight.

 

He suggests finding a quiet place to pause and ask yourself:

• What went right, and why?

• What went wrong, and what can I learn from it?

• How can I apply this lesson to my future?

 

By regularly “evaluating the win” (or the loss), you stop making the same mistakes and start compounding your growth.

 

Chapter 8 – Question Popular Thinking While reflection looks inward, this chapter looks outward. Maxwell warns that "popular thinking is rarely good thinking."

 

Following the crowd is easy, but it rarely leads to extraordinary results.

 

Successful people are willing to be uncomfortable. They ask:

• Why do we do it this way?

• Is there a better path that others are ignoring?

• Am I doing this because it works, or just because everyone else is doing it?

 

This week, challenge the status quo. If everyone is going left, be curious enough to look right. That is often where the opportunity hides.

 

Combine These Habits Use reflection to learn from your own history, and use independent thinking to chart a new path. That is how you build a life of intention, not just repetition.

 

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