As we begin a new year, there’s often a rush to move forward — new goals, new plans, new energy. While momentum can be powerful, the Sankofa way reminds us that forward movement without reflection can leave us busy, tired, and misaligned.

Sankofa is a West African concept often represented by a bird flying forward while looking back, carrying an egg in its mouth. It teaches us that in order to move wisely into the future, we must first look back — not with judgment or regret, but with curiosity and intention. The Sankofa way is not about dwelling in the past; it’s about gathering wisdom from it.

And at the heart of the Sankofa way is reflection.

Reflection Is Not Self-Criticism

Reflection is often misunderstood as replaying mistakes or beating ourselves up for what didn’t go as planned. That’s not what we mean here.

Reflection is the active review of steps that were taken — or not taken — from a nonjudgmental vantage point. It’s the practice of noticing what happened, what didn’t, and why, without attaching shame or blame. Reflection allows us to make conscious commitments to do some things differently while doubling down on the things that worked well.

In other words, reflection isn’t about asking, “What’s wrong with me?”

It’s about asking, “What can I learn from this?”

Two core components of meaningful reflection are celebration and acknowledgment.

• Celebration asks: What did I do? What did I accomplish?For example: I lost 10 pounds by working out consistently.
• Acknowledgment asks: Who was I being that allowed this to happen? What behaviors or mindsets supported this?For example: I stuck to a morning routine, honored my commitments to myself, and asked for support when I needed it.

Celebration honors the outcome. Acknowledgment honors you. Both matter.

Why Reflection Matters More Than We Think

Without reflection, we risk doing a lot of work — and still missing the goal.

We can be busy, disciplined, and committed, yet unknowingly off course because we never paused to adjust. Reflection is what allows us to notice misalignment early, make small corrections, and stay connected to what actually matters.

I often share a story from my early adulthood that still makes me laugh.

When I moved into my first apartment, I didn’t have a mirror — except for the one in the bathroom. I would get dressed, feel confident, like my outfit, and walk out of the house with pride. In my mind, I looked good. I felt good. I was ready.

Then sometimes, as I walked down the street, I’d pass a storefront window or a glass door and catch my reflection. And that’s when I’d see it: my shirt half untucked, a wrinkled pant leg, a belt loop missed. Nothing tragic — but definitely not what I thought I was presenting to the world.

What struck me wasn’t embarrassment; it was the realization that my internal picture of how things were going didn’t always match what was actually happening.

That’s what reflection does for us. It gives us a mirror.Not to shame us. Not to tear us down. But to help us see clearly — so we can make intentional adjustments.

Reflection as a Leadership and Practice Skill

For leaders and practitioners, reflection isn’t optional. It’s a core skill.

Whether you’re supporting families, managing teams, building programs, or navigating systems, reflection helps you:

• Notice patterns before they become problems
• Understand the impact of your decisions, not just the intent
• Adjust approaches in real time rather than after burnout sets in
• Stay aligned with your values, not just your to-do list

Reflection is what allows us to work with people instead of simply working on tasks.And importantly, there should be no setting of new goals without reflection on previous ones. Before we decide where we’re going next, we owe it to ourselves to understand where we’ve been — what supported us, what slowed us down, and what we want to carry forward.

Reflection Prompts for Individual Practice

As you begin this year, consider spending some time with these questions on your own — journaling, thinking, or simply sitting with them:

• What accomplishments from the past year am I most proud of — and why do they matter to me?
• What behaviors, habits, or mindsets helped make those accomplishments possible?
• Where did I expend a lot of energy without seeing the results I hoped for? What might that be teaching me?
• What do I want to do differently this year — not from pressure, but from learning?

These questions aren’t about judgment. They’re about clarity.

Bringing Reflection Into Community

Reflection doesn’t have to be solitary. In fact, some of the most powerful insights come from reflecting with others.

You might consider bringing these questions into conversation with teammates or colleagues:

• What went well for us this past year, and what conditions made that possible?
• Where did we struggle, and what do we now understand about those challenges?
• What practices do we want to keep, refine, or let go of as we move forward together?

Reflection in community builds shared understanding, trust, and alignment — all essential ingredients for person-centered work.

Moving Forward the Sankofa Way

Reflection is not about slowing down progress; it’s about strengthening it. When we take time to look back with care and curiosity, we move forward more grounded, more intentional, and more aligned with who we are and what we’re trying to build.

That’s the Sankofa way.

As you move into this year, my hope is that you give yourself permission to pause, reflect, and honor the full picture — not just the highlights or the struggles, but the learning that lives in between.

Reflection isn’t a detour. It’s the path.