The Snapshot is a framework for self reflection. It helps you to understand where you are spending your energy and time.
How it works
Underpinning the framework is the idea that human attention is limited. We just don’t have an unlimited amount of time and focus. With this in mind we need to decide how and where to spend our attention.
The snapshot is a method to gauge where our attention is currently, and once we know where it is we can decide if this is where we want it to be.
In the below episode of The Body Of Knowledge it is discussed in great detail.
Many people have good intentions, however aligning actions with our intentions is problematic for many of us. This can often be attributed to a poor allocation of attentional resources
Change is inevitable, growth is optional.
In practice the snapshot works by allocating 10 points in total across a range of priorities for where attentional energies are currently being spent.
In the podcast episode Andy Galpin is asked to distribute 10 total points across the following categories for how much attention they receive:
- Family friends and people
- Physical training
- Rest, recovery and reflection
- Work / professional life
This framework of evaluating where our attention goes can be applied to many different areas of life.
For example within the physical training domain specifically the categories may look something like the following for a sportsperson:
- develop speed
- develop endurance
- injury prevention
- develop single specific sport skill
This framework helps to crystallise the idea that the more energy we spend in one are will take away from other areas.
Knowing where the energy is currently spent can help us to re-align. If we perform this snapshot exercise and find that our attention to Family friends and people is consistently low then we can take steps to address this if this is a priority for us.