Ever leave the office feeling like your mind is blank, or just numb? Don't.

Author Peter Bregman of the Harvard Business Review says organizations should teach people how to learn--how to look at past behavior, figure out what worked and repeat it while admitting honestly what didn't and change it, helping to create life-long learners and learning organizations. 

He says this reflection requires confidence, openness and letting go of defenses--but not much time, just a brief pause (perhaps five minutes) at the end of the day to consider what worked and what didn't.

Bregman says that before you leave the office, spare a few minutes to look at your calendar and compare what actually happened--meetings attended, work completed, conversations had, even breaks taken--with your plan at the day's outset. Then ask yourself these sets of questions, which are invaluable for maintaining and growing relationships: 

• How did the day go? What success did I experience? What challenges did I endure?
• What did I learn today about myself? About others? What do I plan to do--differently or the same--tomorrow?
• Who did I interact with? Anyone I need to update? Thank? Ask a question? Share feedback?