“Remember how far you’ve come, not how far you have to go. You are not where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be.” ~Rick Warren
We’re always talking about how we should “be present” and “live in the moment.” We feel wrong about looking back or forward in time, believing that we shouldn’t gaze too far ahead or be concerned about what’s to come and that we shouldn’t get too caught up in what’s already happened.
We want to concentrate on being the best person we can be at this moment.
We frequently forget, though, that it is possible to have a reflection of yourself with affection rather than obsessing about it.
We’re often so preoccupied with living in the moment that we forget to look back and see how far we’ve come. And be happy with how far you’ve come.
Here are tips for celebrating your growth:
1. Take a seat and take a deep breath.
When a thousand voices and worries circle through your mind, it isn’t easy to hear the truth. Catching just five minutes to sit down and let the noises become mum can make a huge difference.
2. Question yourself, “Where was I this time last year? What was it like five years ago? Ten?
Your responses will, without a doubt, surprise you. Change happens slowly, making it difficult to notice, but it is always happening, whether we see it or not.
3. Go over your notes again.
Reread some of your old entries if you keep a journal or blog to find the reflection of yourself. When you look back at what was bothering you at the time, you’ll find written evidence (in your hand!) of how far you’ve come.
4. Make a list of your achievements from the previous year or five years.
It’s okay how insignificant they appear to be; write them down! Then take a look at that list and consider how much you’ve accomplished.
5. Consult a loved one or a friend.
Because we can be our own worst critics, those closest to us may have a better understanding of how far we’ve progressed than we do. If it feels strange to ask someone to compliment you on yourself, offer to do the same for them.
6. Keep track of your personal life as well as your business life.
Keep in mind that not all advancement is career-related. What changes have you noticed in your relationships, spirituality, or self-awareness?
7. Appreciate the small victories.
Try to see when you take even the tiniest step toward your goals as you go about your day, and be sure to acknowledge it in some way. Even simply putting it down in your journal will provide you with that sense of accomplishment.
8. Recognize that nothing is ever perfect.
We all want to reach the summit and feel like we’ve accomplished something. We want a perfect finish, but that will never happen; our lives are always a work in progress, accurately how they should be. You’d be bored if you weren’t continually developing and growing.
Slowly but certainly, your thoughtful moment changes into appreciation. You will glow with pride. With confidence.
With satisfaction. You will understand the extent of growth you’ve endured thus far into your journey, you’ll start to relish yourself for where you stand today, and you’ll become much more excited to see how far you can go.
