Applying the concept/metaphor of putting your past misfortunes in the rear view mirror helps many to move on. It’s an effective tool for attitude development in times of distress. As you work to “drive on” from past pitfalls, remember:
You’re goals are best served by looking through your windshield than your rear view mirror.
Life has a way of occasionally serving up catastrophes. It happens in both our personal and professional lives. We all eventually lose a loved one, a job, a partner, key customer or asset. Since we’re human, catastrophic events can easily become all-consuming and potentially paralyzing. When there’s something going on, you’re impaired and thereby less talented. You can not fully regain your faculties until you’re past it. As emotional beings, we need to process these things. The emotional healing process needs to run its course. If you’re aware of this need, you can hasten the process.
Words of Wisdom From Da CoachIn 1992, the Chicago Bears fired Mike Ditka, their iconic head football coach. “Da Coach’s” fanatic fans were distraught. As for Mike Ditka, he lost the dream job that he worked tirelessly to gain and maintain. Yet in the face of this life altering event, Coach Ditka shared four words of wisdom as he addressed the media: “This too, shall pass.” By “this”, he refereed to the emotions inherent with setback events like anger, bitterness, despair, vindictiveness, frustration, disappointment, regret, etc..
With those four words, “Da Coach” was telling both himself and his disappointed fans that if you view this event in the rear view mirror, it might loom large now. But in time, the image will get smaller. And for everyone to move on they must make a conscious effort to allow the image of adversity to shrink over time.
We all have different time tables for overcoming emotions connected to our catastrophes. Imagining the image of the event in the rear view mirror shrinking over time can really help. Perhaps the image never fully disappears. But it helps to be aware that as time passes we need to move on. To paraphrase Ditka, “This too must pass”. We eventually need to free ourselves from the emotions that potentially paralyze us from moving forward. The best way to shrink that rear view image is to change your focus from the mirror by asking…
Navigating life’s challenges IS like driving a car. You need to devote most of your attention looking through your windshield to safely reach your destination. If you’re distracted by long lingering looks in the rear view mirror, you can set yourself up for more adversity.
Thanks to Todd Bermont of The Careers College for enhancing my appreciation for the importance of the windshield view.
Tom Lemanski helps accomplished leaders unlock potential, solve complex challenges, and amplify their impact.
Effective leadership is the key to driving meaningful, lasting success in a fast-changing world.
Tom’s focus on innovative strategies and self-awareness creates transformative results for leaders striving for the next level.
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2 Responses
Thanks, this was a great, thought-provoking article. Thanks for sharing.
Tom, thank you for this article. I believe that there are some life events that can consume us. Many feel that if something was done differently, something might have changed. In reality, looking through the windshield and learning from the past are two of the most important things that can occur. Thanks for sating this so succinctly. Also, Todd is a great person and an inspiration to all.