subject: The Windshield Of Your Life Vs. The Rearview Mirror [print this page] The majority of people drive a car or have at least been in a car so you can envision this comparison. The rear view mirror is very small, and typically you spend less than five percent of your driving time looking behind you. However, your windshield is huge, because you must have clarity and visibility in front of you to be able to drive your car and arrive at your destination safely. The number one rule of driving is to always keep your eyes on the road, and a clear windshield is extremely important.
What does this have to do with success? Im going to answer that question with a serious question for you. Are you more focused on what lies behind you in your rear view mirror or what is ahead of you as you stare out the windshield of your life? One of the most common excuses that I hear is how a persons past is preventing them from being successful. They continue to look back at their past and dwell on things that happened long ago. Its as if they are driving a car and looking back in their rear view mirror instead of focusing on whats ahead of them. They continue to run off the road, hit the guard rails and crash into adversity. Many people introduce themselves to me and immediately say things like I am a recovering alcoholicI am a sexual abuse victimI am learning disabledI am divorced. Its time for you to stop allowing your past or something that has happened to you in the past dictate who you are in life. Dont get me wrong. Im not undermining what horrible things might have occurred in your life, but I refuse to allow you to believe that those things make up who you are as a person.
Its time for you to stop looking in the rear view mirror and focus on the road ahead of you. If you do this, then you wont be continually questioning what impact your past has on your ability to achieve success. Your mental mindset will focus on the clear windshield ahead of you and see a road of endless possibilities.
It seems like everywhere I go I hear things like...I used to be healthy. I used to be in great shape. I used to give money away. I used to tithe. I used to go to church. I used to listen to motivational material. I used to be excited about life. This is simply a persons way of reflecting back on their past when times were good and using it as an excuse on why they are failing now.
Instead of talking about the good ol days and how you used to be, start speaking words of empowerment about who you believe that you are today. Say these affirmations out loud:
I am a giver!
I am listening to inspirational material!
I am prosperous in every area of my life!
I am surrounded by people that love me!
I am a champion!
Now, doesnt that sound better than moaning and groaning about what you used to be. Even if you arent prosperous in every area of your life, speak the words out loud and start believing thats who you are. Dont let your past steal your dreams of becoming who you want to be in life.
Let me give you another example. Imagine getting into your car, fastening your seatbelt and preparing to go to the grocery store. Now, imagine that you look up and your rear view mirror is the size of your windshield and the windshield is the size of your rear view mirror. You suddenly realize that you cant even get out of your parking spot even to travel a few miles to the grocery store. You are unable to reach your destination, because the massive rear view mirror (your past) is making it impossible for you to focus on the tiny windshield to see road in front of you (your future).
Its time for you to accept challenge number two. I want you to commit to stop looking in your rear view mirror and start focusing on what lies ahead of you. Isnt it refreshing to know that your past doesnt define who you are today? I also want you to commit to saying who you are instead of what you used to be. Write out your affirmations and read them out loud every day until you believe that you are who you say you are.
