
My executive coaching client had enjoyed a highly successful career spanning 28 years, steadily climbing the corporate ladder. Each year brought greater responsibility, larger teams to lead, and higher revenue targets to attain.
Just like this client, every time we recall past events, we bring them forward from the past into our present reality. In our minds, we relive the experience, the emotions, the sights, and sounds of that event as if it were happening now. This constant mental replay becomes a ball and chain, anchoring us to a moment that no longer serves us.
It was time for my client to break free from this cycle.
āWhat did that experience teach you?ā I asked.
āWell, it wasnāt a āfunā lesson,ā he admitted, ābut I was reminded not to take people for granted, to listen more to those around me, and to rely on their expertise before making important decisions.ā
āSounds like a valuable lesson,ā I responded. āNow that youāve learned it, how confident are you that you wonāt repeat the same mistake?ā
āAbsolutely confidentānever again.ā
āGot it. So, how are you better off today thanks to that experience?ā
āOh, Iām definitely a better leader. I have more humility now, and Iām more willing to listen to my direct reportsā perspectives before making significant decisions.ā
āAnd how do you feel about that experience now, as you look back on it?ā
Pausing, he shared, āI guess Iāmā¦grateful for it. It really did help me in the long run.ā
When you can look back on a past āmistakeā with gratitude and take the time to learn from it, you can embrace a powerful approach to dealing with past experiences:
*Forget the incident. Remember the lesson.*
What is a past āmistakeā or situation you keep remembering? How can you shift your perspective to focus on the lesson it offered you rather than the mistake?
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