Metaphors for reflection

As we go about our lives, we accumulate memories and ideas. In the business of life we often store those memories and ideas in the first convenient place in our minds that we find. 

After a while the mental junk accumulates and we sometimes find ourselves working around it.

In reflection, you take the accumulated contents of your mind and work out if it still works, if you're ever going to use it, if it has some value to you, or if you have any idea what it is and where you got it from. 

For the things you decide to keep, you might want to clean and repair them You'll put them somewhere you can find them when you need them, perhaps collecting similar things together in the same place.

"Hey! How are you? It's been ages since we had a good old catch up. I would really love to hear what's been going on in your life." 

"You know that thing you were worried about, how did it go in the end? How did it compare to your expectations? How do you feel about it now? Would you do it again or would you try something different next time?"

"You know what, I'd really like to get your take on this thing I'm dealing with. I think it might help me just to talk it over with you."

Objectives for the day

• Review the most recent operating period — identify what went well and what we could have done better

• Brainstorm ideas for future priorities, goals and ways of working

• Draft an initial plan for the next operating period and agree roles and responsibilities

• Get to know each other better and have fun

Ground rules

• Everyone has a right and a responsibility to contribute

• Everybody gets a chance to be heard without judgement

• Everybody takes ownership of their opinions and reactions

• Everybody is on the same team

• Everybody commits to the principle of 'honesty with respect'

☑️ blind spots & obstructions (awareness of limitations to perception)

☑️ mirrors (rear view, wing) (use of tools for self awareness)

☑️ windscreen wipers and washer (maintaining a clear view)

☑️ indicators and signals (communication to others)

☑️ warning indicators (spotting and resolving problems)

☑️ steering and navigation (getting where you want to go)

☑️ brakes, seatbelts and airbags (safety and dealing with mistakes)

☑️ boot (trunk), glove compartment, roof rack (storage and organisation)

☑️ tyres (keeping a grip on reality)

We need to solve this case. 

That means gathering and examining forensic evidence, interviewing witnesses and looking for discrepancies in accounts of the event.

Don't trust what anyone tells you unless it can be backed up with evidence.

Formulate hypotheses for motive, means and opportunity but don't let them cloud your judgement of new evidence.

Question everything. Put in the leg work. And go over everything again and again.