The Importance of Taking a Step Back

When we are super busy in our work and consumed with what is going on in our little bubble, I find that time kind of just moves on around us. The leaves are completely off the trees and it’s pitch black outside at 5 pm, yet did we even notice the day to day changes that led to this point?

This bubble is okay for a little bit, but we cannot go on for weeks, months, or years like this–not taking note of what is occurring around us, but especially within ourselves.

How are you Developing Right Now?

I am really reflective, but when I am really go go go with work, I find myself forgetting to take a step back to evaluate what is actually happening in my life right now in the grand scheme of things. Sure, this project might be what’s really important, right now, but how is it, and whatever else I am doing, contributing to me as an overall person? Sometimes I think we do things (and go through the motions) because we “should” or “have to,” but then once they are over, we never actually consider what skills or lessons we gained from the experience. If we do not stop to take note of how we developed, and why, it’s possible that we will not gain the maximum potential from whatever the experience is right now.

Reflect on Your Progress

I like the idea that the only thing that truly exists is the present, but I also believe

that it is imperative to think back to where you were, a year, two, or even five years ago because doing so puts into perspective where you are now, and even more so, what’s to come for the future.

If someone could have told me that I would be in the business school at UVA, or have certain people in/not in my life, or have an interest in certain topics, or have a podcast two years ago, I really would not have believed any of it. I know that this same phenomenon can apply to everybody.

Reflecting on how much has changed always excites me for what’s to come, but also gives me peace of mind in the present moment. Since most of the time our past selves would be blown away with our present selves, you almost just have to trust that your future self has so much figured out for you with so many new people, hobbies, and interests in their life that you don’t even know about right now. So, when something isn’t going exactly right in the present, think about how much has changed for the better over the last few years and just remember you are on the right path for that to happen again, and you have no idea what’s to come.

Look Around You

I had a podcast guest say that she thinks of success as the “moments,” and gave examples of drinking coffee with her baby in the morning. Here, what she meant is that oftentimes we like to make everything so grand and extreme, but life gets so much more exciting when we look forward to those “small” moments more. Recognizing these moments in the first place requires taking a step back from your busy bubble. Appreciating how pretty the sky looks, or making someone smile, or the way the trees look just makes life better.

Taking a step back allows you to maximize the present, be appreciative of your past, and excited for the future.