Developing a Reflective Journal for Coaches
Turning Experience into Insight
A reflective journal is one of the simplest yet most powerful tools for a coach’s professional development. It transforms coaching experiences into learning, awareness, and growth. At the British School of Coaching (BSC), we view reflective journaling as an essential part of continuing professional development (CPD)– a habit that strengthens both confidence and competence in coaching practice.
As Julie Starr writes in The Coaching Manual (2021), reflection helps coaches “stay awake” to their practice- noticing patterns, biases, and breakthroughs. Journaling creates the space for that noticing.
Why Reflective Journaling Matters for Coaches
In coaching, conversations move fast. Without reflection, insights can fade as quickly as they appear. Writing things down helps coaches slow down, revisit experiences, and learn from them. Donald Schön’s idea of reflection-on-action reminds us that learning happens after the moment, when we pause to explore what worked, what didn’t, and why.
A reflective journal helps you:
- Deepen self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
- Identify recurring themes or coaching blind spots.
- Capture moments of intuition and insight.
- Track development across sessions and supervision.
- Strengthen your ethical decision-making through self-questioning.
As Myles Downey notes in Effective Modern Coaching (2014), great coaches are observers of their own behaviour — and journaling is how that observation becomes structured growth.
What to Include in a Reflective Journal
There’s no single “right” format, but consistency matters more than perfection. Consider including:
- Session Reflections: What stood out? How did I feel during the conversation?
- Learning Moments: What did I notice about myself, my client, or our dynamic?
- Questions to Explore: What might I do differently next time?
- Supervision Notes: Key takeaways or new perspectives from supervision.
- Themes Over Time: What patterns or values are emerging in my practice?
Adding quotes, metaphors, or even sketches can make your reflections more meaningful and memorable.
Prompts to Get You Started
Try these BSC-style journaling questions to deepen your reflection:
- “What surprised me in this session-about myself or my client?”
- “When did I notice a shift in the client’s energy, and how did I respond to it?”
- “Did I create space for silence and reflection, or fill it with activity?”
- “What helped me stay present and attuned to my client today?”
- “When did I feel most connected or most challenged?”
- “What assumptions influenced my questions today?”
- “What new learning am I taking into my next coaching conversation?”
These prompts invite deeper noticing-not just of what happened, but of how you showed up. Over time, they help coaches cultivate sustainable self-awareness, emotional regulation, and presence — the foundations of effective, ethical coaching practice.
Making It a Sustainable Habit
Reflection flourishes when it is built into your rhythm. Start small: five minutes after each session or a weekly reflection slot. Many coaches find it helpful to review their journal monthly- noticing growth and setting intentions for the next cycle.
Integrating journaling into coaching supervision adds even more value; your notes can spark deeper conversations and accountability. Over time, your journal becomes not just a record of your work, but a mirror of your evolution as a coach.
Reflective journaling isn’t about perfect writing- it’s about honest noticing. It helps you connect the dots between experience, learning, and purpose. As Kolb’s Experiential Learning Model reminds us, reflection transforms doing into understanding. When you write, you see yourself more clearly — and when you see clearly, you coach with greater empathy, presence, and wisdom.
