It’s perfectly normal to obsessively check the rearview mirror when we’re sharing the road in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
But when we keep checking the rearview mirror on the path of life—it can seriously slow us down. Or even bring us to a grinding halt. In the fast-moving, fast-changing world we live in today, it’s easy for leaders and teams to get stuck peering into that rearview mirror. As human beings, it’s in our nature to contemplate where we’ve been. We’re great at scrutinizing mistakes we made and reveling in successes we achieved.
But no one can live in the past forever. Just imagine someone walking up to you and asking where you want to be 10 years from now and you reply, “Exactly where I was 10 years ago.”
Despite our uncanny ability to romanticize the past and our relentless desire to dissect it, we are still—deep down—compelled to keep moving forward. Periodically looking back can be an important way to remind yourself of lessons learned. But if you expect to help your team and organization get to your next goal, you’ve got to focus on what’s in front of you. If your organization is the vehicle, that means your team is along for the ride. They’ve put their trust in you and are excited about where you’re taking them. If you keep your eyes focused on what needs your attention now, you will not only get to your destination—you’ll enjoy the journey together.
In your personal and professional path—what’s in front of your windshield right now that needs your attention in the new year?
Jason V. Barger is a globally celebrated keynote speaker, leadership coach and author of Thermostat Cultures, Step Back from the Baggage Claim and ReMember. He is founder of Step Back Leadership Consulting, a Columbus-based company that works with businesses and organizations worldwide. Connect via email at jason@JasonVBarger.com or on social media at @JasonVBarger.
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