A few days ago, I was chatting with one of my clients during a coaching session. We were talking through her journey—where she’s been, what she’s building, and what’s next on the horizon. You know, the usual mix of reflection and planning that every business owner juggles.
She’d just finished a SWOT analysis and—like clockwork—the comparison trap crept in.
“I’m not as far along as I should be,” she said.
Sound familiar?
We’ve all been there at some point. That nagging feeling that we’re falling behind. That we should’ve done more by now. That we’re not quite measuring up.
But here’s the thing—when we focus only on where we think we should be, we forget to honour how far we’ve actually come.
So, I asked her to do something simple:
Pull out The List.
What’s “The List”?
It’s nothing fancy. No apps, no complex trackers. Just a notepad or a Notes app on your phone.
It’s a daily log of wins—big or small.
Completed a task you’ve been avoiding? That’s a win.
Posted on social media today? Win.
Managed to follow up with that tricky client? Another one.
Every ticked checkbox is a moment of progress. Every line is a step forward.
Over time, this becomes more than just a list. It becomes your rearview mirror—proof of your journey and growth.
And when you’re caught up staring at the road ahead, that glance backwards can be exactly what you need to keep going.
Rearview > Windshield
We’re so wired to look forward. What’s the next milestone? The next project? The next big win?
But sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is pause—and look back.
To remind ourselves:
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Where we started
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What we’ve overcome
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And how much we’ve already achieved
That reflection isn’t just comforting—it’s energising. It shows us that we are moving forward, even if it doesn’t always feel like it in the moment.
Let’s Rethink “Success”
I used to believe success was something we reached. A final destination. You know, that place where everything’s sorted and we can finally exhale.
But here’s what I’ve learned:
There is no “end” point.
If we tie success only to the moment we “arrive,” we’re setting ourselves up for constant disappointment. It becomes that “I’ll be successful when…” mindset—and the goalposts just keep moving.
Instead, what if we saw success as the act of moving forward?
Progress toward something meaningful.
Growth, no matter the pace.
That changes everything.
Try This…
If you’ve been giving yourself a hard time lately (we all do it), I invite you to try this little exercise:
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Grab a notepad (or open a blank doc on your phone or laptop).
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Write down everything you’ve accomplished this week. Even the small stuff.
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Read it back. Out loud, if you’re feeling brave.
You might be surprised at how far you’ve already come.
