For most people, it's only natural to look ahead and not behind. You can't successfully drive a car or peddle a bicycle or for that matter, walk safely if you are always looking back. Though it may help to sneak a backwards look once in a while to insure your safety. But, when it comes to achievement, the past is just that, the past. Former great pro baseball pitcher and Hall of Famer, Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige said, "Don't look back— something might be gaining on you." That something may be your competitor.
On a recent flight out of Tampa, Florida, I actually listened—a good idea— to the flight attendant's mandatory preflight safety announcements that addressed the issues of seat belts, oxygen masks, no smoking, float devices, service trays, etc. When she spoke of exiting the plane, should an emergency occur, she emphasized the importance of knowing the location of the nearest exit. I think it is natural to look up the aisle ahead searching for the closest exit sign. But, as the attendant quickly reminded us, the nearest exit may be behind us, even in the next row back.
A quick look back can help in times when a person must face the fact that he or she is not the success they had planned to be. Those are the times with the scoreboard shows you're not winning. You aren't making the money you want to make, you aren't on the step of the career ladder you planned on being, you worry too much, your health isn't up to standard, personal relationships are sidetracked. You may even doubt yourself.
Recognizing these shortcomings is the first step in getting back on track. Look back and make certain the goals you set for yourself in the past are in fact realistic goals for you and are they goals that you want in the first place? There are times when we set unreasonable goals. Most people aren't going to be the president IBM three years after starting in the mail room. Sometimes we have allowed parents or other authoritative figures determine our goals. If the goal is in your head and not your heart, you will always struggle. Let the past reveal the reasons for your decisions for your present pursuits. Once you are comfortable that you have the goals founded upon your strengths, values and interests, then quit looking back.
While what's behind—the past—is important, it is also important to look around—the present. Both the past and the present are often harbingers of the future. While we can't relive history, we are the offspring of history. A sensitive appraisal of today viewed in the light of the past can help eliminate repeating the mistakes of history. With the future just ahead, don't get caught looking back.
On a recent flight out of Tampa, Florida, I actually listened—a good idea— to the flight attendant's mandatory preflight safety announcements that addressed the issues of seat belts, oxygen masks, no smoking, float devices, service trays, etc. When she spoke of exiting the plane, should an emergency occur, she emphasized the importance of knowing the location of the nearest exit. I think it is natural to look up the aisle ahead searching for the closest exit sign. But, as the attendant quickly reminded us, the nearest exit may be behind us, even in the next row back.
A quick look back can help in times when a person must face the fact that he or she is not the success they had planned to be. Those are the times with the scoreboard shows you're not winning. You aren't making the money you want to make, you aren't on the step of the career ladder you planned on being, you worry too much, your health isn't up to standard, personal relationships are sidetracked. You may even doubt yourself.
Recognizing these shortcomings is the first step in getting back on track. Look back and make certain the goals you set for yourself in the past are in fact realistic goals for you and are they goals that you want in the first place? There are times when we set unreasonable goals. Most people aren't going to be the president IBM three years after starting in the mail room. Sometimes we have allowed parents or other authoritative figures determine our goals. If the goal is in your head and not your heart, you will always struggle. Let the past reveal the reasons for your decisions for your present pursuits. Once you are comfortable that you have the goals founded upon your strengths, values and interests, then quit looking back.
While what's behind—the past—is important, it is also important to look around—the present. Both the past and the present are often harbingers of the future. While we can't relive history, we are the offspring of history. A sensitive appraisal of today viewed in the light of the past can help eliminate repeating the mistakes of history. With the future just ahead, don't get caught looking back.
Football has a name for the talented player that can run, pass and kick. He is called a "Triple Threat". Success has a name for the triple threat person who makes important decisions based on information from the past blended with experience from the present, and an educated guess of the future. He or She is tabbed a "Winner."
Three Point Success Summary
HOG THOUGHT: The past is often a drag on the future. Actions that produced success in the past, even when executed brilliantly, today frequently lead to failure. Blame it on change. The great advertising executive, Bruce Barton observed, " When you are through changing, you are through." Look at a caterpillar and look at a butterfly. the only connection is change. As someone has said, "If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies."
HOG QUOTE: "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." —Victor Frankl
HOG ACTION: You may want to adopt as a motto: "Don't look back, something might be gaining on you."
Three Point Success Summary
HOG THOUGHT: The past is often a drag on the future. Actions that produced success in the past, even when executed brilliantly, today frequently lead to failure. Blame it on change. The great advertising executive, Bruce Barton observed, " When you are through changing, you are through." Look at a caterpillar and look at a butterfly. the only connection is change. As someone has said, "If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies."
HOG QUOTE: "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." —Victor Frankl
HOG ACTION: You may want to adopt as a motto: "Don't look back, something might be gaining on you."
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