Forget It

“Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life.” — Seneca

The Obstacle

We have a past.
We have history.
History with ourselves, with others, and with circumstances. 

A history of successes and failures.

We repeat what has got us here, even when there is a better way.
We shy away from things that may fail or not be perfect.

We remember, and we judge.

When we worry about what could go wrong.
We look to what has happened before and analyze how it might play out again.
We assume the past will show up in the future.
We feel as though past wrongs will work against us.

We forget to advance because we remember…

The Gift and Opportunity

We can remember to start fresh.

Start fresh with each conversation, even within the conversation.
With each task, even the most familiar.
With each challenge, even the ones we have been avoiding. 

We can look at relationships without the baggage of the past.
Without assumptions of intent.

We can look at tasks differently, approaching them with curiosity and creativity.

We can decide that not everything needs to be perfect.

We can understand that humans are equal parts emotion than rationality.

We do not have to plan for and pine over every possible point of future and allow it to paralyze progress.

We can start fresh with everything and everyone every moment.

We can remember to forget.

The Practice of Self-Mastery

• Enter each conversation and task as new, not a continuation of the past

• Separate the present moment from memory, assumption, and prediction

• Lead with curiosity instead of judgment

• Choose imperfect action over future-based paralysis

  CHEAT CODE:

  PAUSE → NAME THE CARRYOVER → RELEASE THE ASSUMPTION → ENGAGE WHAT’S HERE NOW ONLY