Recently at TWC, we came across an interesting article on the lack of time given to personal reflection in an increasingly digital world, full of constant distraction. How often are we alone with our thoughts? How can we hope to realize our significant goals when we leave little or no time to reflect on their importance?
Focusing on oneself can be downright uncomfortable for some, and even for those who are fine with the concept, it can still be challenging to find the right approach. Reflection is not a state of “dwelling on the past,” but rather a practiced way of examining the path we are presently on, and contrasting it with the objectives we previously thought to be worthwhile. Reflection helps us recognize when we are being pulled off course, and perhaps just as important, when we are intentionally, consciously changing our direction. It’s perfectly fine to adjust course, but it is vital that you are doing so intentionally.
Project 10Q provides an intriguing way to facilitate your reflection on things like goals, relationships, future plans, and more. Participants sign up online (hurry, this year’s enrollment period ends on September 24th). Once signed up, you’ll receive 10 questions – one each day for a 10-day period. You may answer however you like (it is your reflection, after all!) and save your answers securely in 10Q’s online vault. One year later, the vault will open, and your answers will be returned to you for private reflection. You can choose to keep them secret, or share them anonymously with the 10Q community.
The project was founded by Reboot, a Jewish cultural organization, but the questions are not religious in nature. The idea is to set an annual tradition of reflection and reverse the trend of living solely in the moment – or as David Pescovitz from boingboing quips, “from status update to status update, from tweet to tweet…” – that is smothering the concept of long-term reflection. Year after year you’ll be able to build an archive that will allow you to look at where you have been and where you are ultimately going.
Even if you do not choose to participate in Project 10Q, you may decide to take some time to jot down a few answers to questions on topics of importance to you. Tuck them away for a year and when you pull them out, take some time to reflect on whether or not you are still in sync with your goals.
The Project 10Q vault will close for 2014 on September 24th. Sign up before it does, and look forward to your 10 days of questions. We think you’ll be glad that you did.