September 25, 2019 – JOLT – One look back to see more miles forward?

“The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” – Winston Churchill

We have a notion that our success…

comes primarily from the actions we take today to progress, to move forward, to claim new ground, to stake new territories.

And, of course, progress does depend on taking action.

However, a reflective look back can actually be one of the smartest actions we can take to move forward.

To a great degree, many don’t see any urgency in reflection. It’s sometimes viewed as the lower priority choice when compared to all the new, fun things we can get involved with. We can be like kids forced to take medicine when a bit of “Stop – Breathe – Reflect” direction comes our way.

I recall a quote from a character played by Raul Julia in the 1976 movie “Gumball Rally” (Google it) where he tells his racing companion, “And now, my friend, the first rule of Italian driving: what’s behind me is not important” and then detaches the rear-view mirror and throws it out of the car.

Yet, there’s also the famous George Santayana quote, “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

Here’s the deal: what if we take out the gloom and doom and just accept that we all have a personal history. Then, simply ask ourselves…

“Does my personal history fire me up on all pistons for what’s possible for me?” or…

“Does my personal history carry some seeming weight or limitation on my greatest Self emerging?”

Depending on your answer, there may be value in taking some time to reflect yourself forward.

In executive coaching, I can’t tell you how often successful people (by all worldly standards) really have a five-year-old running the show. That five-year-old had certain life experiences that couldn’t be processed by such a young brain. Therefore, subconscious decisions about “how life is” got formed. And the five-year-old now runs the department, the business, the firm, the show.

Sure, reflection for reflection’s sake can be indulgent. But reflection for the sake of uncovering unseen anchors of limitation…now THAT could be the best investment of time ever.

Your mission today, should you choose to accept it: “Stop – Breathe – Reflect” on whether there could be value for you in discovering any weight you’re carrying around that you don’t think you have.

When it comes to your career, life, relationships and dreams reaching their highest expression, the lighter your load, the better.

Want a structure to accomplish some propelling reflection? If you’re near LA, join us for our 1-Day Back Forty IGNITE Program on October 12 in Long Beach. In a beautiful hotel location, overlooking the harbor and Queen Mary, our players will leave past limitations behind and begin a radical, unlimited second half of life. See details for the program here or schedule a private session here.

Got propelling reflection?

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” – Soren Kierkegaard

The post September 25, 2019 – JOLT – One look back to see more miles forward? appeared first on CareerGuy.com.