Looking Back to Move Forward: Why Planning Only Works When You Pause & Reflect
Most leaders know how to plan.
Far fewer know how to pause.
Yet research shows that those who regularly reflect on their progress are more likely to achieve their goals — and feel happier doing so.
Here’s why planning only works when you pause and reflect.
We often hear how important it is to plan ahead — to set clear goals and define where we want to go. But what we don’t hear as often is that a plan only works if we pause to look back.
It’s easy to get lost in motion. To keep moving from one task to another, measuring our worth by what’s left on the list. Yet when we never stop to reflect, we lose sight of how far we’ve already come — and what truly matters.
The hidden power of reflection
Research consistently shows that monitoring and reflecting on progress doesn’t just help us achieve more — it also makes us happier and more motivated.
A meta-analysis of 138 studies found that people who regularly tracked their goals were significantly more likely to reach them. Even more, when we feel that we’re making progress, our sense of well-being and purpose naturally rises.
Reflection, then, isn’t a luxury. It’s a psychological necessity. It turns motion into meaning.
Lessons from the trading floor
When I worked in commodity trading, I learned that no plan ever unfolded exactly as written. Markets shift, variables change — success came from constantly reassessing, adapting, and learning.
Life isn’t so different. I used to set ambitious goals — often too many — and felt frustrated when I couldn’t meet them all. Over time, I discovered that fewer, more intentional goals combined with regular reflection brought me a deeper sense of accomplishment and peace.
A quick reflection for you
Before this year ends, take ten quiet minutes to ask yourself:
What have I achieved that I hadn’t even planned?
What goals still feel meaningful to complete this year?
What can I gently release without guilt?
Sometimes, what you choose not to finish tells you just as much about your growth as what you do complete.
The courage to pause
You can only see the path looking backwards — but that perspective changes everything.
So pause. Reflect. Acknowledge your progress. And let your next steps emerge with more clarity and calm.
If you’d like to explore your own path more consciously, coaching offers a space to do just that — to see where you are, what you’ve learned, and where you truly want to go next.