Begin with Today

We all have things in our careers that we wish we would have handled differently. Maybe you blew an interview. Maybe someone at work sidelined you. Maybe you should have spoken up more – or less. Objectively, we know that everyone makes mistakes, but sometimes, inside, we cannot let go of what we see as our failures. Every great leader has failed at some point in his or her career. It’s not important how you fall, though, but how you pick yourself back up.

So How Do You Begin With Today? Follow the Steps Below

1. Make Peace with Your Past

Rather than focus on how the past has harmed you, focus on how the past has taken you to where you are today. The project that went nowhere may have taught you to plan better or to be more assertive. The multiple jobs on your resume may have taught you to stay put and not leave when things get tough. The co-worker that sidelined you may have taught you to showcase your work better and expand your network. You have probably learned valuable lessons from every mistake you’ve made. Consequently, you’re a better person because of them.

2. Decide What You Want in the Future

Once you’ve made peace with your past, you have a clean slate. What do you want to do with it? Do you want a new job? Do you want a new career? Do you want to make more money? You can do anything you want to if you put your mind to it. The only person who is keeping you from all of the things that you want is you. Decide that you want something more and you can have it. Decide that today is the day that you will turnaround your career.

3. Start Where You Are Now

Begin with today – it’s what you have in front of you. Go after what you want because not doing so is keeping you from unleashing the true person that’s inside you.

Take out a piece of paper and write down what you want. Then, break what you want into steps. Prioritize your steps and then put them into your calendar. Work on one step at a time. Focus on the future and making what you want a reality. Look forward rather than
back because what’s behind you is over. Start where you are right now, which is the best place to begin.

So, what do you say to that? You only have one life to live, so it might as well be a life you love!