It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

I’m so thankful that I don’t have to be perfect in order to be great.

 

Truth is, I’m far from either! Truth is, you are far from either.

 

So the question becomes, how can we learn from our mistakes and make the most out of every opportunity moving forward?

 

Here are a few thoughts:

1. Learn from the past

Oh, if only it were that easy. But isn’t it. What if you took the time to think through your last meeting, message, report or whatever and evaluated it?

 

Here are two questions our United States military asks after every engagement: What do we need to improve? What went right?

 

I like the order: bad news first. Let’s not sugarcoat the difficult. If we are going to learn, we should start with the facts. It will feel nice to clear the air, and it will be really nice to end with the wins!

 

2. Plan for the future

Someone smart once said, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” I think it was Benjamin Franklin. Who flew a kite in a thunderstorm hoping lightning would strike it. Which proves that your plans don’t have to be sane. Still, you need some plans.

 

What do you want to accomplish? We all have just one life to spend and we can spend it any way we want. But we can only spend it once. What do you want to be known for doing? Set a plan to get it done. Make it happen.

 

Most people will overestimate what they can get done in a year and underestimate what they can accomplish in five years. Dream big, but be willing to start small.

 

Write down some plans based on the past. You’ve evaluated. You’ve considered. Now it’s time to implement the changes necessary to grow.

 

3. Be OK with today

 

You are a work in process and so am I. We all are. If you are learning from the past and planning for the future, then it’s OK to be where you are today. You with all your imperfections and mistakes.

 

It’s truly more important to be committed to the journey than to be obsessed with the destination. Be OK with today, do what it takes to move forward and then move forward!

 

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

— Paul, an early Christian teacher

You are a masterpiece.

 

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