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So … if you were driving a car you wouldn’t be as focused on what’s happening in the the rear view mirror as you would on what’s happening through the front windshield right?
I mean, looking in the rear view mirror is important because you want to get a sense of what’s around you, especially because when you’re driving, what’s behind you is not static.
Your focus is more clearly on what’s ahead, though, right?
In business, unlike driving, what’s happened in the past is concrete. It will never change.
Even things that we wish we could undo or restate or make different decisions on won’t change.
What’s happened, happened.
Teachers, and accountants, and other professionals we count on base much of their advice on the past.
But is it fair to look at the past when determining your future?
Or a better question, how much weight do you put in your past when determining your future?
Aha – “Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future.” ~ Walt Disney
It’s not that we should ignore the past or what’s behind us, but if we focus on the past we will simply get more of what we’ve already gotten.
When we focus “our aim” on the future, we can create a new reality.
While it’s true that we’re creatures of habit, we’re also very adaptable to change; especially when the change holds a more optimal condition than we currently enjoy.
One year our company wrote an order for $1.2 million. One order. Our past didn’t show this as a trend and according to the balance sheet, it wasn’t predictable. That didn’t mean it wasn’t probable.
When you know what you’re capable of and allow your past to be a guide, not a determination, you realize your future holds whatever you can dream.
“All our dreams can become reality if we have the courage to pursue them.” ~ Walt Disney
Let’s change that to “when” we have the courage to pursue them, shall we Mr. Disney?