How Will You Improve?

Last month, following a talk I’d given at an organization’s annual meeting, a gentleman shared a gem of wisdom with an entire ballroom of his colleagues. I’m passing his powerful story on so that others may benefit. With great passion and great presence, this gentleman spoke of his father, a schoolteacher. Each time a student received an A, and especially when they scored 100%, his father would ask, “How will you improve?” What a beautiful reminder that we all, regardless of our success, have more to learn? What a profound act of encouragement! This is a wonderful example of the message I shared that day: It is not the events in our lives, but the stories we make of these events, that determine our future. What if we encouraged our kids to view an A+ as an opportunity to improve? What if we viewed our own successes as opportunities to grow? What if we looked for what we could learn regardless of how successful we become? What are the stories you’re living in right now, today? What are the stories you’re telling yourself about your successes? What are the stories you’re telling yourself about your challenges? What’s the impact of living in those stories? Are they getting you the results you want? If this stirs sometime up for you, let’s find a time to talk.