Why slowing down may be your most productive move yet
By Raido Kivikangur
The myth: “There’s no time to reflect”
As engineers, we pride ourselves on problem-solving, optimization, and action. The last thing on our mind when deadlines loom and code breaks is taking time to reflect.
Reflection sounds slow. Unproductive. Like a luxury reserved for philosophers, not builders.
But here’s the truth: skipping reflection costs you more time and clarity than you think.
Let’s challenge that belief.
The truth: Reflection is a tool, not a luxury
Reflection isn't about journaling your feelings while the world burns around you. It’s a system check: like running diagnostics on your machine.
Without it, you stay stuck in reactive mode. You solve the same problem twice. You confuse activity with progress.
From my coaching experience, the engineers who make the biggest leaps don’t just do more - they pause with purpose.
Core reflection prompts:
- What’s working?
- What’s draining me?
- What needs to change?
That’s not fluff. That’s strategic clarity. And it only takes 10 minutes.
Personal story
A few years ago, I hit a wall. I was leading a project that kept going sideways, despite working 10-hour days. One Friday, I stopped everything and did a brutal self-review. I realized I was managing tasks, not priorities. That 20-minute reflection session shifted my whole strategy. Two months later, the project turned around. The difference? Not more effort - more clarity.
How to apply it today
1. Run a weekly review
Block 15 minutes each Friday. Ask yourself:
What did I build this week?
What gave me energy?
Where did I waste time?
You’ll start spotting patterns fast.
2. Use the 5-why method
When something frustrates you, ask "why?" five times.
Why did this deadline slip?
Why did I say yes to too much?
Why did I avoid asking for help?
This unearths the real root causes - not just symptoms.
3. Create a personal changelog
Every time you learn something, log it. Short and simple:[2025-05-25] “Never schedule deep work after 3 PM. Brain is toast.”
It’s a developer-style growth log. And it keeps you accountable.
4. Pair reflection with action
After each reflection session, pick one change. Just one.
Maybe it's blocking out time for design thinking. Or saying no to the next “urgent” task.
5. Celebrate small wins
Progress hides in plain sight. When you reflect, you see it.
That fuels motivation better than any external praise.
The real shift: Thinking like a systems engineer
Self-reflection is how you debug your life. It’s how you get out of endless firefighting.
You're not just an engineer for your codebase. You're the engineer of your career, energy, and impact.
Start thinking that way. Build a better version of you - on purpose.
Want more practical strategies like this?
Want to dive deeper into your mindset and habits? Let's talk.
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