You’ve been there – most of us have. Stuck! We wake up one day to the realization that a significant portion of life has passed us by. And we wonder, How did I end up here?
Your mind races through all of the decisions, circumstances, and events that converged to make your life and work what it is today.
So, how’d you do? How are things going so far?
The truth is – we’ve all looked back on a few decisions that could’ve been made differently. We’ve noted behaviors that needed to end. Recalled circumstances that were less than desirable.
But, here’s the real question…
Should my past experiences affect my life and work today?
Two options
And the answer is – yes and no! We should always be learning from the past. But our experiences and circumstances do not categorically dictate today’s success or failure.
Mark Batterson, author of Wild Goose Chase, says it this way – If you don’t like your circumstances, you have two options – complain about them or make the most of them. And I agree.
So cut loose from whatever is holding you back! Dream. Create. Innovate. Plan. Work.
Get moving
Successful people are continuously planning toward and working for more desirable circumstances. If they can’t find them, they create them. Because they realize that difficult times and challenging environments – when progress is slow – don’t have to last forever. They know that if they are able to make progress in the hard times, their team will really thrive in the good times.
Try these 5 things that keep successful people moving forward…
- Pursue a huge, compelling vision with passion. Do something that is doomed to fail unless your whole heart and entire team is in it. Ask yourself, Am I trading my time for something that is worthwhile? Is your team trading their time for something that is worthwhile? To get you started today, you can download a FREE copy of my eBook, Creating Your Business Vision.
- Be the best you can possibly be at every stage of your journey. Always pursue excellence. It’s one of those things that you never really achieve, but you can fulfill every day. Be the best!
- Consider innovative approaches. You’ve heard it – Work smarter, not harder. I recommend that you work smarter and harder!
- Empower others to join you on the journey. The journey is more enjoyable when you can share it with others. Find those who love where you’re headed and free them to succeed.
- Enjoy the journey and celebrate progress! Be sure to stop long enough to remember where you came from – and celebrate even small successes. You’ll find more energy and passion when you do.
Question: What is it that has held you back in the past? How do you get moving again?
I FULLY agree with it all. I am constantly moving, planning ahead and trying to overcome the many obstacles that are put in my way. I have serious things to do, but also many dreams. The serious one is to find funding for surgery that I need in New York #THEU.S.FORSHAMEME. As for my dreams (they keep me going)!, most are travel-related, but also to go in a hot air balloon and adopt a baby someday are a couple of others. I keep trying, each day I do something that will bring me a step nearer to them. One other one (I wasn’t going to say this one)!, is to find a special American boy out there!!. In my dreams he has mousy hair, blue eyes, he’s slim-athletic and kind!!. But yes, go for your dreams everyone!!. As Justin Bieber says #BELIEVE
Thanks for connecting here Shameme! Have a great day!
Just came out of such an experience and thanks for these wonderful tips.Am a huge fan.
Thank you Grace! Enjoy your day!
You are exactly right. The value of past experiences is the learning process. What went right that I should continue doing and what went wrong that I need to work on correcting? The important thing is the realization that we are powerless to change any of the past. If we are the best we can be in the now, we claim a glorious future.
Great thoughts Hal! Thanks for connecting!
I agree with most points. I hear too many people complaining today with their job, or their income, or their student debt, yet nobody seems to want to take action to change their circumstances. People seem to fall into the comfort zone where they are uncomfortable, but not enough so to do something about it. Even small successes, worth celebrating, can be motivating enough to follow on the journey.
Great point! Many are uncomfortable with the status quo, but are unwilling or not ready to take action and change things.
I agree and I disagree. We seem to be so focused on being successful that we forget to be satisfied with where we’re at. I’m not saying that we should all just roll over and quit doing anything. Yet . . . we’re killing ourselves in an effort to be bigger and better and faster and . . and . . .and . . .and we’re not allowing ourselves to be content.
Just my two-cents.
http://thecommonmansmission.wordpress.com/2013/07/30/who-is-greater/
I think you’re right, Scott. It’s important for each individual to ensure that he/she is following their own path, calling, and passion.
A clarification may be needed in this post – in other posts I define “success” as continually growing and enjoying the journey (contentment). I understand your point that many consider success to be all about “bigger and/or better”.
Thanks for connecting here! I appreciate your thoughtful feedback.
“Be the best you can possibly be at every stage of your journey”
I used to agree with that but you can’t be focussing on everything. So the key is to make what only needs to be good enough and good enough and free up time/energy to excel where it matters.
Thanks for jumping in Mark – and you’re right: We can’t focus on everything and we must focus on areas in which we can maximize the return on the time and energy we invest. Yet that should not preclude us from pursuing excellence – being the best you can be. you can be very focused and intentional while pursuing excellence.
I’ve let little things from the past hold me back. It had made me timid and afraid of people. But I am pushing forward and getting out of comfort zones.
To do this, I have been talking to strangers, created a blog, and getting involved in communities. It’s such a refreshing change!
I think we’ve all been there, Joe.
It’s been interesting to experience greater clarity and focus through blogging. I started out blogging for myself – and I’m learning to be a greater help to others in the process. Here’s a post I wrote about this – http://www.michaelnichols.org/3-reasons-i-started-a-blog.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the needed dose of inspiration. We don’t get enough of it in today’s “can’t do” culture. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Bill. I know what you mean. Enjoy your day!