Embracing Where You Are

I walked at lunch with a co-worker today and we talked about where we are in our lives and where we have been. I shared where my life was 12 years ago. I was going through a nasty divorce, I was living in a dilapidated house and I was broke. As we talked, I realized just how good the last 12 years have been. The gain is more than I could have imagined all those years ago.

Don’t let your past be forgotten. Always measure backward. - Benjamin Hardy

As I think about this year, I want incredible outcomes for 2023. I want 2023 to be a 10x of 2022. As I take steps to make my dreams and goals a reality this year, it is so easy to see where I am lacking and my shortcomings. I focus on where I think I am not making progress. I focus on my shortcomings and supposed failures. However, as I pause in my ascent of The Mountain of Life and look back down the trail from where I came, I am blown away. I am amazed by where I was and where I am now. And I as I remember my past and measure backwards, I know that I have 10x’d my life in the last 12 years.

So, I challenge you. As you examine where you are now, do not let the supposed failures and shortcomings overwhelm you. Do not allow yourself to focus on how you have not measured up. Instead, look back and compare where you are now to where you were 5 years ago or 10 years ago. As you look at where you have come from you will realize just how much growth you underwent, how much change took place.

Do not allow yourself to measure where you are and are not by those who are around you. Do not allow social media to be your measuring stick. Do not allow your co-worker to be the standard by which you measure. Instead, look at where you were and where you are now. I believe that as you do this you will have a clearer vision of where you are and where you are headed.