Evaluate your action

- Even if you're not at all responsible for the stress you experienced, it's always a good idea to take some time and evaluate your actions. I recently flew to film a four-day course where I had planned everything meticulously, from my wardrobe to the jewelry, and of course all of my material. One thing I had not planned for was for the airline to lose my luggage, luggage that I didn't see until three days after my landing. In this situation, I reflected on the following. First, what could I have done differently? When I look back, I knew that I had predicted airline limitations and strategically packed for carry-on. What I didn't do was to double-check and stay up-to-date with carry-on size regulation changes. When I arrived to my first connecting flight I was told that I was not allowed to take my 1" wider-than-regulation bag with me. A-ha, that's the first thing I could have done differently, is to have all the information and have a plan for lost carry-on luggage. Number two, how did I handle the situation? As hard as it may sound, a little sincere self-reflection is always helpful. When I look back, I reflect on how I handled the situation in general. I couldn't have just said, well let's reschedule, or let's just wait a couple more days, which is actually how long it took for my luggage to reappear. Generally, I think I did pretty darn well, I had my little pity party, and then I sprung back into action getting an entirely new wardrobe and making up for lost time in filming. Another reflection question to focus on your attitude. Did I stay positive? In my case, this was my hardest challenge. I knew that I had to focus on the bright side, such as it was, I mean I was physically present, and the schedule allowed for some flexibility to make up for lost time. But physically and mentally I was tired. I didn't have any my clothes and jewelry that I had so carefully chosen for the shoot, I didn't even have my toothbrush. So I had to give up plan A and move onto plan B or maybe it was plan C, I don't remember. I don't know what your specific stressful event was, but when you think about it, ask yourself what could you have done differently? How did you handle the situation? Did you remain positive? When you go through your evaluation process in the exercise files, be sincere with yourself. Look for opportunities of improvement and don't forget to recognize what you did well. Set aside the time and be disciplined about reflection.