Looking back

To move forward, it’s important to look back.

Not in a navel-gazing “tell me about your childhood” sort of way. But a very practical opportunity to reflect on what we’ve done and why.

It can be surprising to reflect on how far we’ve come.

Not the big goals we’re still hoping to achieve, but the individual steps we have already taken towards that goal.

When I think of how much I need to do to reach my goals, it can be daunting and discourage me from moving forward.

But when I think of how far I’ve already come, the obstacles I’ve overcome and the milestones I’ve passed along the way, somethings shifts.

Looking at what I’ve done already encourages me to take that next step. Whether that’s one more workshop on the path to being stronger. Or one more module completed on my PT training course.

It’s a tool that I use a lot in my coaching, helping my clients to focus on their strengths and successes so that they are centered in their own strengths and have a solid base for moving forwards. So many of us spend a lot of time thinking about what we could improve and forget to think about what went well.

And recently I’m trying to make a habit of reflecting on what I’ve done and using that as an inspiration to action.