Critical Thinking

 

1st reflective entry around theories and models of reflection at my work (Using Gibbs Reflective Cycle)

 

Introduction:

There are many different forms of reflection but in theory, true reflection is much more then simply looking back and reflecting upon a previous event. Its true form is breaking down the inner thought process and mind frame of oneself and in an emotionless way, breaking down every decision we make, emotion we feel and action we take. This is to understand fully why we do what we do as humans and understand if we really make the best choice in every situation and if the answer is no- then how we can make it. It also means accepting that you make mistakes sometimes and that’s okay. Nobody is perfect, and reflecting honestly helps you learn from those mistakes instead of repeating them. It can help you improve your relationships, your decision-making, and even your confidence, because you’re learning and growing from real experiences. To put it simply, honest reflection is about being open with yourself, not hiding from the truth, and using that truth to become a better version of yourself.

Description:

One helpful way to do this is by using a model called Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle, which helps you think step by step about what happened. It starts with a detailed description of the event, followed by analysing your feelings and thoughts. Next you evaluate your experience, identifying what went well and what went wrong. Based on this you conclude what you learned and what you could have done differently. Finally, you create an action plan, outlining how you will apply these lessons in future situations to improve your performance. I used this model recently after a difficult moment at work. I was leading a group project and during a meeting, a teammate disagreed and spoke to me in an abrupt manner in front of everyone.

Feelings:

 I felt really embarrassed and upset, so I shut down the conversation quickly, which made things awkward with the team. At first, I tried to ignore it, but I kept feeling uneasy, so I decided to think about it more deeply. Using Gibbs’ model, I realized my teammate had a point, even if they didn’t say it in the best way. I also saw that my reaction wasn’t great. I let my emotions take over. I figured out that we hadn’t talked clearly before the meeting, so the disagreement wasn’t a total surprise.

Evaluation:

Using Gibbs' Reflective Cycle effectively allowed me to evaluate the experience in a structured and meaningful way. By progressing through its six stages, description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan. I was encouraged to critically assess what went well and what didn’t. This structured reflection promotes deeper understanding, helping me to recognize personal strengths, areas for improvement, and alternative approaches. In the evaluation stage specifically, I weighed out the positives and negatives of the experience, identifying key factors that influenced the outcome. When used correctly, Gibbs’ model fosters continuous personal and professional growth through evidence-based self-awareness and improved future performance.

Analysis:

I learned that I should have stayed calm and suggested talking after the meeting instead of shutting it down. In the future, I plan to set clearer rules for giving feedback and to work on staying calm under pressure. In the analysis stage, I had to examine why events happened the way they did and explore underlying factors or theories that influenced the situation. This situation taught me that mistakes are okay if you learn from them, and being honest with yourself helps you grow. According to Gibbs (1988), reflection can help discover the gaps between impact and aim

Conclusion:

Reflecting like this makes me feel more prepared to deal with challenges in a better way, and it’s something I want to keep doing to improve how I work and how I handle tough situations. You then begin to release the importance of the structure and how basic structure could bring such ease to one’s life.

Action Plan:

In my personal scenario, to ensure this never happens again, I would maintain a systematic approach to all affairs. This way regardless of how difficult one scenario, whether it be emotional or physical. I will find myself well equipped to benefit from all mistakes or good work in every walk of life.