We don’t always get to do what we want to do. If it were up to us, we would have the ideal job, business, etc. These endeavors would provide us with everything we want in terms of reward, growth, and contribution.

However, we don’t always get exactly what we want. We can often point to things we don’t like about even a good situation. And if it’s a bad one, then we can point out many bad things about it.

Reflecting on past roles, opportunities, and circumstances, I can honestly say that I would not change a thing. What’s interesting about that is that at the beginning of many of those experiences, I saw it as a bad or less than ideal situation. I wished for different circumstances.

So what started as a something I didn’t want ended up becoming an experience I would not change. They say hindsight is 20/20, perhaps those situations or circumstances had the potential to be good for me from the beginning, not just when reflecting on them.

Making Foresight 20/20

When I realized this, I started looking forthcoming situations that were less than ideal with that hindsight. I asked myself, what can I extract or take away from this less than ideal situation that future me would look back and appreciate? How can this situation serve me in a way that I otherwise would not be able to achieve? What can I learn?

For several years now, I have applied this “hindsight driven” outlook to all forthcoming situations, whether good, bad, or anything in between. When I do this, I always find something I can take away from a situation that will make this a worthwhile experience.

This has been a game changer for me because I do not have to wait until the future to appreciate the experience. I can appreciate it starting right now.