Why focusing on our FUTURE is so important

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, once said that the best way to predict your future is to create it. Eleanor Roosevelt, first lady to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, stated that the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Still another great quote -- and I believe this one was dreamed up anonymously -- is that we ought to strive to do something today that our future self will thank us for.

I know I sometimes have a tendency to harp on here about the past. (After all, I do love history!) And while reminiscing at times is good and healthful, we mustn't spend too much time ruminating over past events. I think doing so gets in the way of our growth -- whether personal or professional.

Sometimes we might get so caught up reliving the past that we forget to live in the present. While memories of yesterday might be special, memories created tomorrow might prove even more profound. Thinking too much about the past prevents us from moving forward -- setting new goals and tackling new challenges are imperative to achieving growth.

Our past experiences -- both good and bad -- have molded us into who we are today. While I frequently find myself wishing I could go back, say, 10 years, I wouldn't do it if I had the chance. There's still so much more I want to do and accomplish in my life -- read more books, write more posts and articles (and possibly a book later on), travel to a bevy of destinations. Indeed, an unexplored world looms on the horizon -- and I look forward to exploring it.

As long as we continually learn, grow, and set goals, we're poised to have a bright, fruitful future. Sooner or later, we have no choice but to part with the past and cast an eye toward the road that lies ahead.

Do you focus more on the past than the future? Do you look forward to what the future will bring?

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