Reflection - why do it?

I am amazed by how valuable the reflection process is. In fact this subject - Resourcing The Curriculum - has taught me the value of reflection as a way of taking stock of how things are and then using this information to move forward and drive change. This realisation is why I have posted work from my assignment onto this blog. I am not someone who enjoys social media. Unlike my husband and children, I find blogging and using Facebook alien to my personality. I am a private person, and like my private space. Face Book to me is the stuff nightmares are made of. I have to literally steel myself to blog as it is like baring one's soul. I have no problem baring my soul to people I can see face-to-face, where I can judge their reactions and defend my stance if needs be. It worries me that for my Professional Portfolio blogging is essential. I can only hope that it is only a small component of the marks or I am doomed!! I have a weekly Reflection Journal at work and I have instigated this practice with my staff as well. It is a private journal for each of us and immensely valuable. In it we record weekly: What went well this week... It could have been even better if... How have I been kind this week or gone the extra mile? The last point was included as part of a strategy to resolve an ongoing staff issue and has been quite successful in changing an atmosphere of conflict between two of my team members. My staff (4 Library Officers and 1 resource officer) work very closely together -3 of them at the Circulation Desk at a time. Personalities do clash from time to time but I am extremely lucky in that I have the most wonderful person in the world, my Senior Library Officer, Sheue Mui, who has more EQ than probably 99% if not 100% of the entire population, managing that front desk. She successfully smooths most disputes over before they really ever get going. Without her my job would be ten times more difficult. Anyway - my husband has just left for Cannes (Advertising Awards) and I am going to go out and enjoy the rest of the day.