“We do not learn from experience… we learn from reflecting on experience.”
— John Dewey
My son, Mac, just turned 10 the other day. I can’t believe I’m even typing that sentence. Time is a wild thing, and to realize that ten years have gone by since he was born is pretty unbelievable. But it has, and his birthday definitely caused me to pause and reflect.
I’ve thought a lot about the joys we’ve shared, the places we’ve gone, and the father I’ve tried to be. I’ve also considered where I could have done better and how I can be a better dad to him in the next ten years. (And yes, I slipped into goal-setting mode after all that reflection. If you missed Atomic Habit #8: Set the Goal, you can check it out here.
Why Reflect?
Reflection does two things: It allows us to celebrate the joys of experience and it helps us identify areas for improvement with the future in mind.
That’s where Atomic Teaching Habit #9: Reflect Often comes in. I used to think I was reflective until I learned what reflection really is through personal work on mindfulness. True reflection isn’t just casually thinking back on the day. It’s purposeful thought devoted to understanding our experiences, with the intent to grow.
Reflection in Teaching
Teaching is a deeply human profession. The variables are living, breathing, feeling people, and no two periods are exactly alike. What works in 1st period might flop in 3rd, simply because the people in the room are different. That’s why teachers must be deeply attuned to their own thoughts and actions. Reflection keeps us grounded in the humanity of the experience. This gig is not delivering content from a manual. It is a living experience that requires constant adjustments based on experiences.
A Simple but Powerful Habit
Here’s the habit I’m challenging you to adopt:
Start a daily reflection journal.
Now before you say: I don’t have time for that, or I already reflect mentally, or I do it when I need to… I want to remind you: this is an atomic habit. That means you do it every day. Not just when things go wrong. Not just when you remember. Every. Day.
And it’s simple: just 5 minutes. That’s a habit that anyone can do and that anyone has time for.
Your 5-Minute Reflection Has 3 Parts:
- What worked today?
- What didn’t work today?
- What will I do tomorrow based on what happened today?
That last question is important. It doesn’t say, “What am I going to change?”
It says, “What will I do tomorrow based on today?” That allows you to carry both the wins and the challenges into your next step forward.
📓 Make It Real
- Grab a small notebook.
- Dedicate it to reflection.
- Keep it in your classroom or workspace.
- Before you leave for the day, write.
- Not think—write.
Over time, this will become a living record of your growth. You’ll be able to look back, see how far you’ve come, and notice patterns in your practice. This deep reflection will allow you to be in tune with your thoughts and actions in the moment and over time. Please consider starting a reflection journal and adopting this Atomic Teaching Habit.
Final Thought
If I could require just one thing of every teacher, it wouldn’t be a strategy or a program; it would be this 5-minute reflection habit.
Purposeful reflection changes us.
And when we change for the better, our students benefit the most.
Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear from you. 💬
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Miles O'Shea 
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