Everyone has a past filled with good experiences, bad experiences, and everything in between. You probably are proud of what you accomplished in your past, are embarrassed by some of your so called mistakes, and have a few things you wish you could redo all together. However, all of these things got you to where you are today, created who you are, and shaped how you see the world. Your past created your now and it will continue to create your future unless you want to change it up.

Your early experiences helped create your worldview.

As a wee little one, your thoughts, opinions, and beliefs were strongly influenced by your parents thoughts, opinions, and beliefs. Soon after that you were influenced by friends, teachers, and the media. All these people, telling you their opinion and their ideas of right and wrong, influenced how you see the world and helped you decide what opinion you were going to have.

You may find this true with simple things you aren’t even aware of, such as: judging people based on how much money they have (too much or too little), what people spend their money on, what people choose to do with their lives, or how people dress or look. Those small judgments that pop into your mind are most likely rooted in something that someone influential told you in the past about yourself or something you witnessed. Most likely it was many seemingly inconsequential things that added up. Example – Your mother frequently diets and works out when you are a child. She makes small comments about her weight and other people’s weights. You see her spending a lot of time getting ready in the morning and fussing over what to eat. This would likely shape your worldview on how you see weight. You may either decide your mother was right and you follow in her footsteps or you decide she was unhappy living life that way and be determined to be happy with your body and weight without all the fuss.

Every experience in our past gives us a choice on how we want it to shape our worldview. Anything could have a positive or a negative impact on our lives. You have the power to be mindful and recognize it as a viewpoint and not necessarily a reality. 

Who you have surrounded yourself with has helped create your expectations.

How many of your friends and family members are in similar places as you in life? Relationships? Career? Location? Financial situation? Romantic situation? The likelihood is that most of the people in your life are in a similar place as you.

We tend to shape what we believe to be true and possible off of what we see happen to other people. And, full circle, we bring people into our lives who fit into what we believe to be true. If you want something to be true, you will find the evidence for it. For example: if you believe that all guys are assholes, you will most likely notice every jerky thing guys do to you, in movies, and with your friends. However, if you believe there are great guys out there you will more likely notice every sweet things guys do for you, in movies, and with your friends. Get the picture? Your beliefs and expectations shape what you see in the world, and your beliefs and expectations are shaped by the people you surround yourself with.

Take a look at your relationships and the people you spend your time with. What are their lives like? What are their attitudes and values like? Are they aligned with you? Do these people show you what is possible in the world, push you, and inspire you? Or are you the most successful person you know? You have the power to grow, learn, and have a better life by bringing people you want to be like, in one way or another, into your life. Not inspired? Change it!

Being aware of how your past has created your future is the first step to changing it.

Most people go through life passively. They allow their past experiences and relationships create their future without much thought. They move forward doing what they think they are suppose to do in their lives. But I know you are different. I know you want to take control of your life now and in the future. The best news is the first step is easy – be aware. When you are aware and mindful of how you got to where you are now you are able to be mindful about the choices you make today that will create your future.

You are able to be open to the many viewpoints out there in the world.

You are able to decide what kind of relationships you want in this live.

You are able to change things that are not working for you.

You are able to create a life you love.

Tell me in the comments below how you are going to create your future.

Ready to set some kick-ass goals and build a life you love the right way? Join me in the Success on PURPOSE course.

Much love, Danielle