Where are you looking?
“If what you have done yesterday still looks big to you, you haven’t done much today” - Mikhail Gorbachev
Are you still focused on what you did yesterday, are you basking in the glory of what you achieved, or are you rueing yesterdays failure?
If you are basking in the glory or yesterdays achievement, what is it stopping you from doing bigger and better today with that time?
If you are rueing yesterdays failure, are you wallowing, or are you actively exploring it to learn something that you can apply today and beyond?
Do you think Mikhail Gorbachev achieved what he did by focusing on yesterday’s achievements or failures, or by focusing on today’s possibilities? Based on the quote above you would have to say by focusing on today’s possibilities.
Like all of us not everything Mikhail Gorbachev did was ultimately successful and may have had some unintended consequences, but he has certainly had his share of success, and he did not get there by resting on his laurels or letting a failure stop him from moving forward.
From a man who has achieved a hell of a lot in life, including such awards as the Nobel Peace Prize, 4 Honorary Doctorates, A Grammy Award and a host of other honours and awards, the opening quote has a very challenging concept.
But this post is not about Mikhail Gorbachev it is about YOU!
I want you to think about a truly successful person that you admire and respect…… (go on…. I’ll give you a minute…. queue thinking music in your head.. … … .la lala la la)
(Music stops….OK your minute is up) What is it about that person that earns your respect and admiration?
Surely it is not because they are a person who is gloating about what they achieved in the past (as they say for all investments….. past results are no guarantee of future returns…and think about it, if you are giving someone respect and admiration you are investing your energy, time and focus in them to some extent… ), and anyone who is busy constantly reminding you only about their past achievements is a has been.
Surely it is not because they are a person who is always boasting about what they will achieve in the future without a track record of actually doing something… these people are referred to as life’s gunners (…. I’m gunna do this, I’m gunna do that…).
I would hope that if you are investing your energy, time and focus in someone it is because they have demonstrated that they have achieved things that are truly worthy of your admiration, that they are showing you (even if they failed yesterday) that they are still moving forward, growing and actively working towards something bigger and better than they have done in the past and that their past achievements (or failures) are stepping-stones to a brighter future. I also believe that if they have your respect and admiration then they are a person who is not fixated on the past, not fixated on the future, but fixated on doing what needs doing, and are doing it NOW.
If you have followed a few of the posts here, it brings us to a relatively constantly theme……. being present in the here and now…… the past is what it is…. and the future will be what you make out of today. So this leaves only one question…….
what are you going to focus on today, and regardless of whether you succeed or fail will that still look big to you tomorrow, or the day after?
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Michael,
A great reminder not to rest on our laurels, rather to continue moving forward by looking for more and more opportunities. Failures or successes they are all learning experiences.
Thank you for sharing.
Regards
Paul
Thanks Paul,
Every experience (success or failure) has something to teach us, and we need to apply it Today to make the lesson useful.
I like the Gorbachev quote. And the way you put it together mick. I like to say if I have one foot in yesterday, and one foot in tomorrow then I’m crapping all over today. Anyone else ever heard this?
Lees.. I have never heard it put like that before…. but what an apt metaphor. I think you have just given me another quote to add to my list…. I will definitely be using that one..
Good Quote from an unexpected source. You have caused my mind to spin in all kinds of directions but the point that hard work every day directed toward a goal, even an outrageous goal will bring it down to manageable size.
Thanks Ralph…. I’m glad the post has made your mind spin… that’s what leads to doing something differently.
Great Post Michael
Focus is everything. Most people focus on the negative or the neutral in life. That’s easy as this focus weirdly feels comfortable most of the time. It’s to focus on the positive that can be a bit frightening.
Focussing on the positive and what you can achieve today is vital.
You’re right Ben, I think too often we are socially programmed to be focused in the wrong area, and become comfortable with that feeling, and then it becomes a real challenge to break out of it…
I am definitely focused on today…I can’t even remember what I wrote about yesterday. Today is for working on promotion of my blog, and working on creating another website…and golf (that’s every day)
Ray, not sure that I meant forget about yesterday, just not to be focused on it….. but if you are golfing everyday I don’t think there is anything more to say….lucky man!
One thing at a time; words to live by. Especially after all this influx (over the last few years) of ‘multi-tasking’ being great for you. Usually for me that leads to thinking about the previous day which leads to stress.
Nonsensical.
Great post there Mick!
Thanks Heather, I’ve been as guilty as everyone else with the multi-tasking and have been working hard to overcome the hype of it… stress can be good for you, but only when it leads to doing what needs to be done, not when it causes pain and suffering that is DISTRESS…..
Focused on success and building new site! Want to create a better and bigger ME. It’s amazing how we focus on quantity sometimes and say going, going, and then your gone! You are right, yesterday was yesterday, put it and leave it there.
Too true Winnie, life is short…. good luck building a better YOU.