Would you like to be more insightful?
Most of us would answer “yes” without hesitation. We admire insightful leaders. We describe others as insightful. And quietly, many of us wish we had more of it ourselves.
But here’s an important distinction: insight isn’t a personality trait. It’s a skill. And like any skill, it can be developed—intentionally and consistently.
This post is part of a series I think of as New Year, New You, and each idea in the series begins with the letter I. Today’s focus is the first—and foundational—one: Insight .
Let me share a practical blueprint you can use to become more insightful, starting today.
Slow Down to See More
Insight doesn’t come from pushing harder or moving faster.
In fact, the opposite is true.
We gain insight when we slow down enough to notice—to see what’s happening around us, not just race through it. When life is lived at full speed, we miss patterns, signals, and meaning.
Slowing down creates space. And space is where insight begins.
Reflect on What You’re Experiencing
Once you slow down, the next step is reflection.
Reflection means looking back on what you’ve seen, noticed, or experienced and asking:
- What did I learn?
- What surprised me?
- What stands out now that I pause?
We can’t reflect if we’re constantly in motion. But reflection turns experience into learning—and learning into insight.
If there’s one habit that underpins all the others in this post, reflection is it.
Ask More (and Better) Questions
Reflection is really about asking questions of yourself. But insight deepens when you also ask questions of others.
Why?
Because insight grows when we step outside our own mental and emotional bubble.
When you ask others what they see, think, or feel, you begin to understand the world from perspectives other than your own. And that broader view leads to better understanding, wiser decisions, and stronger leadership.
Look for Connections
Every day, information is coming at you from all directions—conversations, articles, meetings, experiences.
Insight isn’t found in isolated facts. It’s found in connections.
Ask yourself:
- How does this relate to something else I’ve seen?
- What does this remind me of?
- Where do these ideas intersect?
When you connect dots that others overlook, insight naturally follows.
Consider the “What Ifs”
One powerful way to gain insight is to explore alternatives.
- What if this happened for a different reason?
- What if that decision was made with information I don’t have?
- What if another option had been chosen?
Considering “what ifs” helps you understand motivations, broaden possibilities, and see beyond the obvious. It builds empathy—and empathy fuels insight.
Write It Down or Talk It Out
Here’s how you lock insight in.
Ideas are fleeting. Thoughts feel clearer in our heads than they actually are. We clarify our thinking by putting it into words.
That might mean:
- Writing in a journal
- Taking notes after a meeting
- Talking through ideas with a trusted colleague
Some people resist journaling—and that’s okay. The real point is this: if you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always gotten.
When you capture your thinking, you deepen it. When you say it out loud or write it down, you understand it better—and remember it longer.
A little “inside baseball” for you.
One of the greatest benefits I’ve received from recording hundreds of Remarkable TV episodes isn’t just what you get—it’s what I get. I’m forced to clarify my thinking, connect ideas, and talk through what I’m learning.
That process has made me more insightful.
And it can do the same for you.
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