Experiments in Reflection: How to See the Present, Reconsider the Past, and Shape the Future

If you are looking for a personal guru to help you through your work/personal journey, this is the book for you! The author does not become your guru, instead she guides you through fun experiments that help you uncover the guru that you’ve had within yourself all along. The experiments are brilliantly constructed so that you start with what seems like a simple prompt or question that takes you to deep explorations of who you are and what you can become. These experiments led me to several “Aha!” moments full of insights that were as profound as those that I have experienced after talking with a coach or therapist. The best part is that doing these experiments was 1000 times cheaper! The author also pushes you to expand what you think is possible, like setting goals that would take at least one hundred years to complete. It was a wonderful treat getting to know myself on a deeper level while doing engaging games and experiments. The book itself is full of fun pictures, and I absolutely love the creative design!

Experiments in Reflection provides both a practical and pragmatic way for how to incorporate reflection into our everyday lives. The book contains a myriad of experiments that feature a combination of individual thinking time and as well as encouraging a bent towards action. There is much talk about making time for ourselves and fostering well-being, and in this book, we are able to see some creative and compelling ways to do so. There is a clear sense of both challenge and delight in this beautifully illustrated book. I truly enjoyed every bit of it!

I was not prepared for how drastically the tools in this book would impact my life. As a busy person with seemingly endless to-do lists, I struggle to prioritize reflection. I decided to purchase the book, plan a trip where I could disconnect from my normal obligations, and dive into the content without the constraints of my typical schedule. I anticipated that I would be reflecting on my past experiences, but I did not anticipate how much I would be reflecting forward and considering how I want to intentionally design my life and future. Reading through the book and utilizing the methods in each section was a deeply transformative experience.Although I don’t typically think a single book is for everyone, I believe every person who reads this book will greatly benefit from the wisdom and tools it contains. As I find myself actively reflecting in real-time, I see the tools I learned in the book significantly influencing my thoughts and behaviors. I find myself being more intentional, bold, and even confident because I feel that I have a clearer vision of what I want my future to look like.This is a book I will continually pull off the shelf for guidance. In addition to day-to-day use, I highly recommend stepping away from your existing responsibilities for a few days to read the book and work through its methods. I had some life-changing insights as I read the book and I think taking time to disconnect contributed greatly to the quality and quantity of my reflections. The book said it best: “When you move fast to get to where you need to go, you miss opportunities to discover what the path has to offer. If you slow down, you may discover an entirely different destination worth visiting.” This book certainly did that for me. I give it my highest recommendation.

In "Experiments In Reflection", Leticia Britos Cavagnaro offers a transformative perspective on the act of reflection, positioning it not just as a retrospective tool but as a catalyst for shaping the future. The book is structured as a series of "experiments" that engage readers actively in the process of reflection, combining scientific rigor with practical applications.As someone dedicated to lifelong learning, I found the experiment on training intuition particularly resonant, providing a structured approach to what is often considered an elusive skill. This book will appeal immensely to educators, professionals in creative sectors, and anyone poised to harness the reflective process for personal and professional enhancement.Britos Cavagnaro's dual expertise as an educator and scientist infuses the book with a balance of theoretical depth and hands-on utility. While distinct from other reflective practice literature due to its experimental framework, it complements titles like Carissa Carter's "The Secret Language of Maps" by providing tools to navigate one's own landscape of experience.This concise guide is not just a read; it's an interactive journey that encourages the reader to actively participate in the art of reflection. I recommend it to anyone eager to explore their internal world and how it can impact their external reality.

As a design educator, a lot of my work is rooted in self reflection. It is the foundation that starts off any design project, no matter what we are working on. Getting the young students I work with to understand that is critical (and at times difficult).Rarely however, do I actually sit down and intentionally reflect. Yes... I spend a decent amount of time thinking about my life, what I'm doing, etc... but not in the way that this book encourages you to do. It's highly engaging, impactful, and the content is thought provoking. My roommates even asked if they could sit down and go through the experiments with me... Note - I'm not even fully done with the book... so more comments to come. I can't wait to share this with family, friends, and use some of these experiments with my students.Leticia is a brilliant educator, and I'm so glad that she has put this out into the world.