The Reflection Summary

This summer I launched the first cohort of the Honestly Apprenticeship. More details to come but so far it’s been great.

In addition to regular projects the apprentices have to complete, I ask them to write a weekly reflection summary. The reason we call it a “reflection summary” (hat tip Seth Godin for the moniker) is because it’s meant to be contemplative. It’s not a list of things they did. This writing is for deliberating on what they’re learning and experiencing.

Sure, these are useful for me to see how their thought process and skills are developing, but the purpose for the writing isn’t for me at all. It’s also not for building authority or an audience. It’s not content marketing. It’s more than that.

It’s for them to articulate what’s going on in their brain and heart. It’s for them to remind themselves of the progress they’re making and to learn more about themselves.

If you’ve never done anything like this, I encourage you to try it. See what you discover about yourself. You may be surprised at what you find.

This first appeared in David’ (almost) bi-weekly newsletter, Notes from the Field.