Using The Lessons Of Your Past To Create Your Future
Written by: Jennifer Byrne, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
I should have. I could have. I would have. Sound familiar? As you ponder each statement, how can you use them to create a positive trajectory in 2022? We all know we cannot change the past. However, we can use the past as an instrument to forge a new path filled with anabolic energy. Instruments can play a symphony of memories that bring happiness, joy, and inner peace. If not tuned properly, these same instruments cause us to feel guilt, anger, conflict, and sadness. Negative thoughts, feelings, and emotions from our past hold us back from living the life we desire. If you have had the opportunity to go to the symphony, it brings innumerable gifts. Our past is a gift in the form of lessons learned. Each lesson is uniquely providing an opportunity to shape our future.
Think about the last time you felt good about something. How did that shift your day, week, or year? As we look at the past, it is important to remind ourselves that we did the best we could with the information we had available at the time.
Imagine you had an issue at work with a co-worker during a meeting, or you had an argument with your child because they refused to do their homework assignment. Chances are, you dwelled on the situation for a while thinking of a way forward. You have two choices:
Remain frustrated and let the situation continue to drain your energy.
Think back to a similar situation to shift your perspective.
If you chose option 2, read on. Reflect on the last time your co-worker caused you frustration in a meeting. How did you handle it? What worked well in that experience? Why did it work well? What about ‘YOU’ created a successful outcome?
As you think about the current situation, how can you use what you learned from the previous experience to move past your current one? Maybe you are a master at empathy or relate to individuals in a way unrivaled by your peers. Or you are confident and can stand up for yourself in a way that does not come across as arrogant or driven by ego. The solution resides in your strength aka “superpower”.
The lesson here is to not let the past stop you from shaping your future. As 2022 approaches, I challenge you to:
Make a list of your top 3 strengths starting with the word “I am (fill in the blank).”
Make a list of your top 3 successful moments of 2021. Take a moment to reflect on what made the moment you chose a success.
How do you want to carry this reflection into the new year?
Remember, the lessons of our past provide an opportunity to grow. Convert those stumbling blocks into the stepping stones for your future.
Jennifer Byrne, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Jennifer Byrne is a certified life and career coach. She helps her clients overcome the fears that are holding them back, increase confidence levels, discover their life’s purpose, and achieve greater levels of energy to reach their full potential. Jennifer’s message to her clients is “Follow Your Inner Compass.”
With more than a decade of experience in organizational development, coaching, and mentoring in both corporate and non-profit environments, Jennifer brings a wealth of practical knowledge to her coaching work. Jennifer earned her B.S. from Monmouth University and pursued advanced degrees, including her MBA and M.Ed. She is certified as an Energy Leadership Master Practitioner (ELI-MP) from the Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) and holds an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential from the International Coaching Federation. Despite the demands of her career, Jennifer makes time to be involved with community and professional organizations. She is a member of ICF Global and local ICF NYC chapter in which she actively participates on the Member Engagement and Social Outreach committees.
Jennifer lives in Ocean County, NJ, with her husband of 14 years and two dogs. When not working, she loves to explore the outdoors.
