38 tools to support reflection

Lisa-Marie, Ph.D. -

The practice of reflection is a form of personal knowledge management that includes goal setting, introspection, planning, and organization.

It’s an effective way to exercise memories and form new ideas that benefit the mind while reducing stress.

There are four key tools you can use to document your reflections either using digital or analog tools: prompt journals, workbooks, guided journals, and planners. Each of these tools can be categorized by their orientation which support self-discovery: 

  • Understand. Deeper dives into topics with a focus on discussion. 
  • Lesson. Exercises that support achievement of a goal. 
  • Goal set. Objectives and steps towards accomplishment. 
  • Reference. Information focused and can be referred back to.

Prompt journals

Good for those who don’t know what to write. 

These prompt journals take the reader on a journey of understanding, while serving as an exercise tool. The reader can start anywhere in the journal and each prompt will provide a lesson. 

Workbooks

Good for those who don’t know what to write and need to solve a problem. 

Workbooks take the reader through lessons while achieving a goal. Workbooks like guided journals have focus areas. However, workbooks have a specific goal and exercises geared towards working through specific topics.

Guided journals

Good for those seeking inspiration and willing to invest time in self reflection. 

Guided journals take the reader on a journey of understanding while leaving the opportunity for continuous referencing of introspection. These guided journals have a focus area and have stories that serve as a guide, and use questions to provoke a deeper understanding. 

Planners

Good for those who need to keep track. 

Planners take the reader on a journey of achieving a goal, while serving as a reference. Planners serve as an organization and time management tool for keeping track of dates, activities, and milestones. 

Blank

Good for those who like to design their own path. 

Blank notebooks are either in blank, dot grid, or lined format. Blank notebooks serve as a flexible way to design the reflection type needed. 

Research

Good for those who like to see the theory and foundation behind practice. 

Research exists that shares the intellectual and health benefits of writing and reflecting.