Issue 31: Life is a series of evolving priorities.
I can’t remember the things that kept me up at night two years ago. Okay, maybe I can but right now they seem insignificant. They pale in comparison to what I’m going through today. My current problems are way bigger and much more important than those of two years ago. There are things I’m chasing today, things I’m learning, aspects of my life I’m trying to get better at; all seem important and urgent and critical. But here’s the interesting thing: most of these problems didn’t exist five years ago. Or maybe they did and I just didn’t pay attention to them. But if they didn’t exist five years ago, will they exist five years from now? Maybe not.
My focus for today isn’t even on ignoring your current problems because they won’t exist five years from now. I think that’s bad advice for one major reason: if you ignore them, they’ll probably exist five years from now.
Here’s what we can do while we focus on our present problems: we can choose to remember and acknowledge the things we’re getting better at.
In the perpetual pursuit of self-improvement, it's common to focus on the things we want to get better at. We set goals, create to-do lists, and invest time and effort in areas where we perceive a need for enhancement. Yet, amidst this constant drive for advancement, we often overlook a crucial aspect of personal growth – acknowledging and celebrating the things we're already getting better at.
Take a moment to reflect on your journey. What are the skills, habits, or aspects of your life that you've genuinely improved upon? It's easy to become so engrossed in the chase for perfection that we forget the progress we've already made. This introspection is not about resting on laurels but rather appreciating the journey and recognising the positive changes that have occurred.
Personal development is a continuous journey.
We lead dynamic lives with ever-changing landscapes and personal development is a continuous journey. We set goals, overcome challenges, and adapt to new circumstances. As we go through all these, it’s important to pause occasionally and take stock of the skills and qualities we've honed along the way. I did this over the weekend and I felt proud of myself knowing that I’m better at problem-solving. It’s a bit complex to explain here but I know how I approached problems a few years ago and how I approach problems now. Quite different.
Acknowledging what you're getting better at contributes significantly to cultivating a positive self-image. Often, we are our harshest critics [and that’s not necessarily a bad thing], focusing on our perceived weaknesses rather than celebrating our growth. By consciously recognising and celebrating our achievements, we shift our perspective and we can build a healthier self-esteem and a more positive outlook on life.
Whether it's becoming more organised, improving time management, or developing a creative skill, it matters that you look yourself in the mirror and say, “I could not do this a month ago but now I can. That’s progress.” Take a moment to appreciate the person you've become through your efforts and commitment to improvement.
Life is a series of evolving priorities.
Life is a series of evolving priorities. What might have been a significant goal or challenge a year ago may not hold the same weight today. Acknowledging what you're getting better at involves recognising the shifts in your priorities and adapting to the changing landscape of your life. Remember back when the biggest problem in your life was JAMB? Or your final year project? Now you don’t even remember your grades.
What matters today won’t matter tomorrow and what matters tomorrow won’t matter the day after. Again, life is a series of evolving priorities. That it is the most important thing to you now doesn’t mean it will be the most important thing to you forever.
A new adventure
To close this, I’m thinking of writing to you for seven days straight. It’s going to short [maybe 500 word] mini-issues telling you something I learned the day before. This is going to be an experiment. I’ve been learning a lot when it comes to certain aspects of life and I want to share my lessons with you. I’m curious if that’s something you’d be interested in: 500 words on a specific aspect of life, from me to you everyday for seven days.
If you’ve never dropped a comment, then you should here so we know what you think. If the idea doesn’t sound like your thing, do let me know and I’ll see how to go about it.
Looking forward to your thoughts. Don’t forget to take a moment to acknowledge the things you’re getting better at and to remember, life is a series of evolving priorities.
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of course, YES!!! your issues have helped me because sometimes I put to practice what you write about. your mind is one intriguing place and I DEF would be interested. ♥️
500 words essay, shoot on.
And thanks for this piece. Without awareness, we could get caught up in the wheel of progress that we even forget we're making little advances.
Looking forward to your dailies.