Jasper’s ERA (Experience–Reflection–Action) cycle is a straightforward and accessible model of self-reflection that allows individuals to engage with their experiences critically and practically. It consists of three interconnected stages:
Experience - face a situation or event.
Reflection - an examination of the experience, considering the emotional, cognitive and contextual features.
Action - considering what might be changed or approached differently in future practice (Jasper, 2013).
I chose this model because it is simple and practical, and it can be very applicable in a busy professional setting. The ERA model fits with my own learning style, through a general tendency to do better when an experience can be related to an action plan.
As a logistics assistant at David Jones in Sydney, I am responsible for managing large amounts of inventory, working with other people, and maintaining productivity through busy store hours. One stressful occasion was during the Christmas 2024 sales period. The increased number of orders meant there were delays with the operations team, which resulted in greater pressure on my own responsibilities. At first, I felt overwhelmed by the deadlines and by ensuring that orders were filled correctly.
After reflecting on this incident, I saw that although I was good at my own task, I was ineffective at collaborating and communicating with coworkers. I concentrated on finishing my portion of the duty instead of looking at the process as a whole. After studying Schön's (1983) idea of reflection-in-action, I realized I was just reacting instead of planning. This thought taught me the value of flexibility, teamwork, and controlling emotions when under pressure.
Furthermore, I connected this with Gibbs' (1988) reflective cycle, namely being careful to address feelings and outcomes. By acknowledging the issues I had and highlighting areas of lack of collaboration, I might view the event as an opportunity to improve, rather than see it as a failure.
I put practices into place to improve teamwork as a result of this reflection. I began engaging in brief pre-shift chats with coworkers to identify roles, articulate challenges, and set team goals. I also practiced mindfulness to lower stress levels and increase concentration. The outcome was notably favorable; the team managed subsequent busy periods with better efficiency. In line with my long-term goal to thrive in social work, where teamwork and emotional intelligence are essential, this experience demonstrated the value of leadership as well as communication in professional contexts.
Jasper's ERA cycle promoted a methodical approach to experience-based learning. By combining it with Gibbs' emotional evaluation framework and Schön's reflection-in-action, I was capable of conducting a more thorough study that went beyond learning at the surface level. Both direct improvement guidance and emotional insight were offered by this integrative reflection.