Reflecting On The Past To Prepare For The Future

I remember back to the days after college where I felt like I had so much extra time. Looking back, in high school I had a ton of extra time and this was playing varsity sports, taking online and community college classes, plus working on the farm. Like I had plenty of free time.

College was a hard journey for me. Here I actually had to study. I could no longer just show up to class and Ace tests. I had to work. The first year and a half really kicked my ass. It got easier, but I realized I had to work for it.

After college and having my first job and being able to stop at 5 o’clock I realized just how much time I had. It was freeing. So much time that I just wasted. Watching tv or playing video games. I mean as a 21-year-old kid, there wasn’t much else to do. I was great at my job, it didn’t take me all day and I could just breeze through work.

Today, life is much different. I’ve taken on multiple projects. I am working to push multiple things forward on a daily basis. I do what I can to move everything forward. All of which takes a lot of time. My days are fuller now than they have ever been, yet more rewarding. Fulfillment is what many people miss. And fulfillment comes from the work. It comes from putting in the time and energy to get more done.

I put more time and energy in while in high school and I was more fulfilled because of it. I didn’t know that at the time, I can only see it looking back. I was fit, working out for a few hours a day, learning, and working hard. It truly lifted me up. I felt good – all because I was doing the work.

Christmas, and the New Year is all a time of reflection. Of what happened over the past year and where I am looking to go for the new year. So much good is going on and so many exciting projects that I’m looking forward to finishing in the coming days and weeks.

When you look back it is amazing at the projects you’ve accomplished. What you’ve been a part of and how it’s contributed to the world. It’s this reflection that makes those long hours, those hard times worth it. When you can take a minute to look back and be truly proud of what it is that you have and have done.

I allow myself some time to reflect on this time of year and use that as fuel to get me where I want to go. To fuel the ideas I have and to push myself forward to new heights. Taking on projects that challenge me and give me something to strive towards.

Always reaching for that next goal. Always going after another target. All because I’m more fulfilled when I do.