The Habit That Could Improve Your Career (and Your Life) | Paul Catchlove | TED

譯者: Lilian Chiu 審譯者: Helen Chang

I wrote this journal entry in 2013.

我在 2013 年寫了這篇日記。

"I've been sleeping restlessly for months.

「好幾個月來，我都睡不好。

There's a constant feeling of tension in my body.

我的體內總是有種緊張感。

I love ministry as a Catholic priest,

身為天主教神父，我熱愛神職，

the opportunity to share my faith with people

因為有機會可以與人分享我的信仰，

and support them as we journey through life together.

一同走在人生旅程上時 能夠支持他們。

But I have a desire to share my life with another person.

但我有慾望，想要把 我的人生與另一個人分享。

I knew, in discerning ministry,

我知道，就神父職來說，

that celibacy, not getting married, was part of the package.

過獨身生活，不結婚， 是工作的一部分。

But I don't know if I can do this any longer.

但我不知道我是否還能做下去。

I'm rarely alone, but I feel bitterly lonely."

我很少一人獨處，

但我感到非常寂寞。」

I wrote this when I was on the cusp

我寫這段文字的時間 是我正要做出我人生

of making one of the biggest and most significant decisions of my life:

最重大決定的關頭，

whether to leave ministry as a Catholic priest.

是否要御下天主教神父的職務。

I think my life has been a reasonably unique and unusual one.

我認為我的人生算是獨特 且不尋常但仍不失合理性的。

Now in my early forties, I've had careers as an opera singer,

我四十歲初頭時，

我做過的職業就包括歌劇演唱家、

a Catholic priest,

天主教神父、

a corporate lawyer,

企業律師，

and now, a management consultant.

現在則是管理顧問。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

And when people hear the careers that I've had,

當別人聽到我做過的職業時，

the most common question I get asked --

我最常被問的問題—— 也許各位心中也想問——

maybe the one that's on your mind --

is, “What on earth is the connection amongst it all?”

就是「這些工作之間 到底有什麼關聯啊？」

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

Through all of these changes,

在所有這些改變中，

through all of these careers,

在所有這些職涯中，

one constant has been present:

都有少不了一個共通元素：

the practice of reflection.

反思的實踐。

Now people may think that reflection

大家可能會認為反思都發生在 黑暗、私人的房間中，

is something that happens in a dark, private room

by candlelight or flashlight,

要靠燭火或手電筒，

to purge one's deepest, darkest secrets.

旨在淨化一個人最深、 最黑暗的秘密。

But I want to bring this practice out of the dark

但我想把反思的實踐 帶出黑暗，帶到光底下。

and into the light.

I want to share how this practice can help our everyday lives,

我想要分享這項實踐如何能 協助我們的日常生活，

and especially our work lives.

特別是我們的工作生活。

I want to share how this practice helps to improve performance,

我想要分享這項實踐 如何協助改善績效、

to make better decisions, both big and small,

做更好的決策，不論決策大小，

and to build better relationships.

並建立更好的關係。

Interestingly, in a 2020 survey of some 4,000 respondents,

有趣的是，2020 年有一項 針對四千名受訪者做的調查，

conducted by BCG and BVA,

是 BCG 和 BVA 做的調查，

the question was asked,

裡面有一個問題：

"What makes a good leader?

「是什麼讓一個人成為好的領導者？

What are their main qualities and skills?"

他們的主要特質和技能是什麼？」

Notably, possessing a good capacity for reflection

很明顯，「具有好的反思能力」

was listed as one of the top five skills,

被列為前五名的技能之一，

the others being empathy, listening, consideration and team development.

其他的是：同理心、

傾聽、體貼，

及團隊發展。

Reflection is about learning.

反思的重點是學習。

It's about looking at the events of our lives without judgment,

重點是在看待我們人生中的 事件時，不要做評斷，

but with a critical lens.

但要透過批判性的透鏡來看。

I really like the way leadership professors

我很喜歡領導力教授詹姆士‧貝利

James Bailey and Scheherazade Rehman describe it:

和沙赫拉札德‧雷曼的描述方式：

"It requires taking an honest moment to look at what transpired,

「會需要花時間，坦誠地 去看發生了什麼事、

what worked, what didn't,

什麼行得通、什麼行不通、

what can be done and what can't.

能做什麼，及不能做什麼。

Reflection requires courage.

反思需要勇氣。

It's thoughtful, and it's deliberate."

它是需要認真推敲深思熟慮的。」

So how do we do this, then?

那我們要怎麼反思？

Let's take a look at sports.

咱們來看看運動。

I grew up in Australia,

我在澳洲長大，

and one of the most popular games played was cricket.

那裡最熱門的比賽型 運動之一就是板球。

Consistent high performance from batters, bowlers and fielders is essential.

擊球手、投球手，和守場員 一定得要持續有卓越的表現。

But given it’s a team sport,

但，因為它是團隊運動，

it’s not just about how ... the individual performs,

重點不只是個人的表現如何，

but about how the team performs collectively together.

還有整個團隊成員一起的表現如何。

Cricketers reflect during a game, after a game and over time.

板球運動員在比賽中反思，

在比賽後反思，還要隨時間反思。

During a game, they might think about a missed catch

在比賽中，他們可能會去 思考某一次漏接，

or how they could bat or bowl better the next delivery.

或者下次如何把擊球／ 投球做得更好。

After a game, they might come together to watch video replays,

比賽後，他們可能會一起 看比賽的錄影重播，

to look at what worked and what didn't,

去研究什麼行得通、什麼行不通。

which might differ from what they actually experienced

這可能會和他們自己 在比賽中的體驗有出入。

during the game itself.

And then, over time, they might look to the patterns of their wins and losses,

隨時間，他們可能會研究 他們贏球和輸球的模式，

to glean even more meaningful conclusions and insights.

以搜集更有意義的結論和洞見。

The same process can and should be used in the workplace,

同樣的流程可以 且應該被用在工作場所，

and I don't think we need to watch video replays of our meetings

我不認為我們需要看開會的錄影重播

to dissect what took place.

來分析發生了什麼事。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

I don't know about you, but that might feel kind of creepy.

我不知道你們怎麼想， 但我覺得有點詭異。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

Reflection can be done through a variety of different formats:

可以用數種不同的形式來做反思：

purposeful thinking,

有目的的思考、

written journal entries, audio notes, pitches,

寫日記、

語音筆記、提案、

a discussion with a mentor or honest friend.

和導師或能坦誠的朋友做討論。

The point is to find what works for you

重點是找到對你行得通的方法，

and to make a regular commitment.

並承諾按時去做它。

To examine the events and experiences of your lives --

去檢視你人生中的事件和經歷——

what worked, what didn't, and why --

什麼行得通、什麼行不通， 以及為什麼——

and then, to think about what and how

接著去想

你下次要如何做出改變。

you would like to do things differently next time.

When we practice reflection as a habit, we gain even more meaningful insight,

當我們把做反思變成一種習慣，

還能得到更有意義的洞見， 因為我們能看出模式，

because we see patterns that reflection on stand-alone events doesn't provide.

這是針對單獨事件 做反思時無法做到的。

I truly think reflection can help everyone --

我真心相信反思可以幫助每個人——

people in every industry, at every stage in one's career,

不論在哪個產業， 不論在職涯的哪個階段，

and in every point in one's life.

不論在人生中的哪個時點。

Let me share with you an example that I think most people can connect with.

讓我分享一個我認為 大部分人能連結的例子。

Most of us have meetings.

大部分人需要開會。

I was due for a daily catch-up with a colleague.

我和一位同事在閒話家常。

He had just led a client meeting for the first time.

他剛結束了他初次主持的客戶會議。

It was to give a progress update

會議的目的是要報告在這個專案中

on the work stream he was responsible for in this project.

他負責的工作流有什麼最新進展。

He said to me that the meeting had gone terribly.

他告訴我，會議很慘烈。

He didn’t get through the actions taken.

他沒能講到採取了什麼行動，

He wasn’t able to discuss the obstacles faced or the decisions required.

他也沒能討論面臨的障礙 或需要做的決策。

He didn’t get to the next steps or the responsible persons.

他沒有講到接下來的步驟 或要負責的人是誰。

He felt

他感到

angst, uneasy, upset.

憂慮、不安、沮喪。

He was concerned about what the client had thought of him and the meeting,

他很擔心客戶會 怎麼看他以及這場會議，

but more importantly,

但更重要的是

what the client felt about the work that was going on

客戶對這工作流當中的工作有何感受。

in the work stream.

It would have been so easy for him to have pushed past this,

對他來說，推過去是那麼容易，

to try and suppress the emotions,

試圖把情緒壓抑下來，

but that would have missed a massive opportunity.

但那就是錯失了一個大好機會。

We took a few moments to think

我們花了一點時間，

and objectively reflect over what took place,

思考並客觀反思發生的事情，

and then to put in place some commitments

接著做出一些承諾，

as to what and how he could do things differently next time.

內容是關於下次他能如何做出改變。

He decided that in [the] future,

他決定，將來

he would start each meeting with an agenda alignment,

他的每場會議都要用議程對焦來起始，

to make sure there was clarity on what needed to be achieved.

以確保大家都清楚知道 要達成什麼目標。

And then, he'd resolve to make sure that he would take greater control

接著，他下決定要確保

他要把會議掌控得更好，這麼一來，

over the meeting

so that if topics came up beyond the scope of the agenda,

如果議程範圍外的主題被提出來，

that he’d note that a separate discussion should be had.

他就會注意到，應該 要進行另外的討論。

Reflection helps to improve performance.

反思能幫助改善績效。

Reflection helps to make better decisions.

反思能幫助做出更好的決策。

Imagine, for a moment,

想像一下，

you've been in your current role for five years.

你在現職已經做了五年，

It's a creative role,

這是個創意的職務，

but you don't quite feel you've got that zing,

但你覺得你已經失去了 做創意的興致和能量。

that energy for it, anymore.

You've been offered another opportunity in the organization.

你有機會轉到組織中的另一個職務，

It’s actually a promotion. It’s a more senior role, managerial.

那是個更高的管理職， 其實算是升遷。

But you'll have responsibility for looking after 12 direct reports.

但你得要負責看管十二個 直接向你報告的下屬。

A competitor has also recently reached out to you.

一家競爭對手最近也與你聯絡。

They've offered you an opportunity

他們提供給你的機會

for the same kind of role that you've got currently,

和你目前的職務差不多，

but it pays a higher salary.

但薪水更高。

There's a big difference

當創意人和當管理者有很大的不同。

between being a creative and being a manager.

So what is it that really makes you happy?

那麼，真正能讓你快樂的是什麼？

What is it that really makes you fulfilled?

真正能讓你滿足的是什麼？

Reflection provides a treasure trove of data

反思能提供你如同寶藏的資料，

to help you work through this.

來協助你走過這段路。

Have your reflections mentioned being bored with projects,

你的反思可有提到對案子感到倦怠？

or do you just want to try something new?

或者你只是想嘗試新事物？

Would you like to be a manager?

你想當管理者嗎？你想看別人 成長，想形塑、開發他們嗎？

Would you like to see people grow and form and develop them?

Do you think you could do a better job than your own manager?

你認為你能做得 比你自己的主管好嗎？

Reflection provides great insight.

反思提供很重要的洞見。

It's easy to get lost when you've got an opportunity

當你有機會換上更炫的頭銜

of a fancier job title and more money.

並賺更多錢，本來就很容易迷失。

But reflection enables you to focus on what really matters,

但反思讓你能夠把焦點 放在真正重要之處

and to make better choices.

並做出更好的選擇。

Let me share with you a final example.

讓我再跟大家分享最後一個例子。

Most of us have relationships in our work --

我們大部分人在工作上 有一些關係——老闆、

bosses, customers, clients, suppliers, whomever.

客人、客戶、供應商、諸如此類。

And I think most of us try to have good relationships with these people.

我認為我們大部分人會試著 和這些人維持好的關係。

If I'm honest,

我說句實話，

while I strive for this ambition, I haven't always succeeded,

雖然我為這個野心很努力，

我卻不見得都很成功。

but reflection has helped me to build better relationships.

但反思一直都能協助我 建立更好的關係。

A number of years ago,

幾年前，我和一位同事 進行回饋面談，

I was giving a feedback session with a colleague,

and after having done so,

完成之後，

I took a few moments to jot down some thoughts

我花了一點時間

草草記下對面談狀況的想法。

as to how it went.

I realized I had been too clinical.

我發現我太客觀冷淡了。

In fact, if only you could have seen the expressions on my colleague's face.

事實上，如果你們能看到 我同事臉上的表情就知道了。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

I'd raced through their various strengths

我快速講過他們的各種長處，

and moved onto spending more time in their areas for development.

然後進入到花更多時間 在他們的發展領域。

If I'd really thought about this person,

如果我真的有考量到這個人，

I would have spent far greater time actually on their strengths,

我就應該要花更多更多時間 在他們的長處上，並強調

actually emphasizing why they were such a valuable member of our organization,

為什麼他們是我們的組織中 如此有價值的成員。

and then, creating a space where they felt psychologically safe,

接著，創意出一個讓他們 在心理上能覺得安全的空間，

to be able to go on and explore these areas for development.

才能接著去探索這些發展領域。

Reflection has helped me to improve this

反思協助我改善了這個做法，

and to build better relationships.

並建立了更好的關係。

So this might all sound a little fine and dandy,

這一切聽起來可能聽起來就還好，

and may be obvious or trivial,

可能很明顯或微不足道，

but the truth is, so many of us don't take time out for regular reflection.

但，事實是，

好多人都不會定時 暫停下來花點時間反思。

This practice has helped me

實踐反思幫助了我，

and I am so grateful.

而我心懷感激。

After I left being a priest,

我離開神父職之後，

I took some time out for reflection to think about who I was

我暫停了一下，花點時間反思，

想想我是誰，

and what I wanted my life to be about.

以及我對我人生的期許。

Reflection helped me to grapple with this,

反思協助我解決了這個問題，

and it continues to help me today

現今，仍然持續協助我 處理這個和其他主題。

as I grapple with this and other topics.

So as we end this day, or tomorrow, before you begin the next,

所以，當我們結束這一天，

或明天，在你展開下一天之前，

sit down,

坐下來，

take a breath,

深呼吸，

and reflect.

並反思。

And you'll see the power that this habit brings to your life.

你將能夠見識到這個習慣能 帶給你的人生什麼樣的力量。

Thank you.

謝謝。

(Cheers and applause)

（歡呼及掌聲）