Measuring Backwards

I did it again.

Tuesday was my first day with both kids back at school & I was so excited to get started back at work - SO many fun things to dive into: a new studio, two new non-profit fundraising partnerships with the Down syndrome community, new designs, new partnership to pursue.

Then I got to my lovely new studio & just sat.

I stared at the wall.

I stared out the window.

I stared at a blank page.

I ALWAYS seem to forget that the first day back in to a routine takes some adjusting - even when it’s all good things.

But then, instead of continuing to putter around doing nothing, I went for a walk.

I reflected on how moving my body got my brain working & I thought of the book I just finished reading, The Gap & The Gain by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy.

The premise is that if we’re always measuring success looking forward to an ideal, we’ll not only never reach it, but we’ll think we’re not making any progress at all. That horizon line that is always moving.

Instead, they say, always measure backwards.

Measure from your starting point to where you are today to be able to see the progress. It’s the difference between feeling discouraged that you missed your goal of 30 by 8 or feeling proud that you achieved 22.

This is something that is starting to really transform my thinking - about my kids, my marriage & my work. Looking for progress & seeing the wins is incredibly motivating to continue doing the good work we’re setting out to do.

So instead of feeling like a failure for starting the day unproductively, I’m choosing to celebrate that I made progress in recognizing what I needed & doing it.

And MAN was that a cold walk, lol!

What are you reading that’s got you thinking in new ways?

xo, Jen

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