Dead is the super hero who continually reminds himself of things that didn’t go as planned, looking behind himself. He will most likely fall into the trap set in front of him.
How can he see upcoming barriers if he is walking backwards? He becomes an easy target for any nemesis.
It is too easy to sit around and think of the past, the bad or the good. If your past is bad, you sit licking your wounds. If your past is good, you sit polishing your trophies. Neither activity moves you forward. Super Heroes are moving into the future.
People can be hindered by a positive past just as much as a negative past.
A negative past has been used and re-used as an excuse for poor fortune, bad behavior, or lack of character. To some degree, this can be understood and accepted. But, by taking responsibility for your life starting where you are, you can change that. You can stop being the victim.
But the “resting on your laurels” condition can also cause problems. Hanging onto victories of days gone by, relishing in that glory, demotivates you from achieving today. There may be a tendency to coast through the rest of life but the only way to coast is downhill.
Is looking into the past always dangerous or wrong? What do you think? I say no.
When should you look into the past?
- to learn from mistakes so you don’t repeat them
- to remember victories which builds your confidence
- to remember gifts which makes you grateful for blessings
- to recall strategies that worked so they can be used again
Why should you NOT look into the past?
- recalling defeats steals your energy
- holding on to grudges or bitterness poisons you
- not looking ahead causes you to trip or run into walls
- holding on to victories gives a feeling that the fight is over
- because your future is ahead of you, not behind you, duh
So much for looking into the past, what about the future? To have a Super Hero Mindset, one that is successful, your eyes have to be forward on the next challenge or obstacle.
What makes you (a Super Hero) look into the future?
- goals (protect the world)
- dreams (defeat evil)
- hope (things can be better)
- inspiration (give others the ability to focus on the future)
How do you move into the future?
- embracing challenges, not running from them
- being mindful of the necessity to look forward
- joining others who are moving forward
What are the results of a focus on the future?
- passion and motivation for a better future
- changing the world by inspiration
- engagement in life
- victory over your nemesis
- freedom from the past
Have you found ways to embrace your future and focus on moving forward? What do you value from your past? How has a forward perspective benefited you? Share you wisdom and knowledge and perhaps change the world, starting with the person who is inspired by your comment.