Most of us spend at least ten minutes each day in front of a mirror, getting ready in the morning or preparing for bed in the evening. Instead of mindlessly daydreaming while we perform our daily grooming rituals, we can use this Mirror Time as an opportunity to give ourselves a brief checkup. I started to use this Mirror Time productively after doing something I should not have when I was younger. We all have done a few things in our life that, given a chance, we would do differently. And yes, that includes me.

After such an event I always found it difficult to stand in front of the mirror for those ten minutes while shaving and feel positive about myself. However, I refused to simply use negative self-talk like: You are so stupid or What a loser or Nice going Bishop, you idiot. I vowed to take the Mirror Time to learn more about myself and how I handle daily activities.

Thankfully, I have not had to use this exercise a lot because of something I was ashamed about. However, I still use my Mirror Time regularly. We all experience various life situations and observe others in the course of a day. Why not use a few Mirror Time moments getting up in the morning or before you go to bed for some self-reflection? Use the Mirror Time to assess what you learned today and how you might use those principles tomorrow. Use the lessons to make your life and the lives of those around you better.

Questions to ask yourself during Mirror Time:

1-Were you honest with yourself and others today?

2-Did you hurt anyone because you talked negatively behind their back?

3-Did you do something extra or unexpected for which you were not rewarded?

4-How did you improve a stranger s day?

5-If you could relive one hour today, which one would it be and why?

6-What one thing did you do today to improve your family s communications?

7-Who made the biggest impression on you today? Why?

– John Bishop