Okay this year has been hard and challenging in places and I’m not just talking about academically im talking about my personal life to; but I won’t bore you with those details (Plus there personal).
One of my favourite quotes is the one stated above from The Incredibles and in some situations its true like for personal things that can’t be changed but for academia it doesn’t apply. Reflection and development are the core to succeeding. By using an action plan for the year I have been able to focus on what my weaknesses are from the past and turn them into strengths.
![kolb2](https://mylifeasjessthebeautytherapist.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/kolb2.jpg?w=636)
Kolb’s Reflective Cycle (1984) has been of great help to me over the course of the year. I have been able to use it to determine what went wrong or well, what I learnt from the experience and then developing those skills further and reusing them more effectively.
Step 1 – Concrete Experience
This year has been tough definitely, but I have had many experiences that I have been able to develop my skills over. Take for example my blog post on the Indian Head Massage tutorial.
Step 2 – Reflective Observation
Once having an experience I wrote down what I think I did well and what I didn’t do so well. I then asked the people that were there if they had any other ideas for how I could improve.
Step 3 – Abstract Conceptualisation
Then I concluded what I learnt from the experience or what I hadn’t and this lead me to step four…
Step 4 – Active Experimentation
I then tried out what I had learnt again and practiced different things that the other people had mentioned (Indian Head Massage… Again) After I had practiced the whole process started again to see what I could strengthen next time
I’ve accomplished so much this year through my action plan and my personal life, I think I’m finally learning that I must develop to be able to progress.
This year has been full of reflection and development for me and I can only hope that I can continue to learn, reflect and develop over time.
J