• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Adam Kirk Smith

- A. Smith Blog - Leadership in Life

  • About Adam
  • The Bravest You
  • Blog
    • Leadership
      • Creativity
    • Communication
    • Relationships
    • Focus
  • Podcasts & Video
    • Podcast: Live Life with Purpose
    • Podcast: Ideas with Adam Smith
    • asmithvideo
  • Coaching & Consulting
  • Speaking

Adam Smith | February 25, 2013 | 18 Comments

Look At Your Beginning Work

Most people will teach you to not look at the past at all, but in some cases it can be a good thing. The past is meant for encouragement and insight through teachable moments, not for beating yourself up. If you are doing that, please stop. It will not help you or anyone else. Use your journey as a learning tool, a stepping stone, a gift, a testimony or an encouraging word to someone else. However you want to look at it, whatever you have learned through your beginnings is a positive thing.

Going back to the beginning is useful, so here are three reasons why you should stop right now, go back to your beginning and review your story…

1. Look at how far you have come.

It takes this sometimes to truly see just how blessed you are. Try to remember the struggles, the hard work, the late nights, the closeness that those times bring. It was a fight to get where you are. Remember those things. You have accomplished a lot.

2. It will remind you of the “Why”.

If you have forgotten the “Why” of why you started in the first place, go back. Why was your heart into it in the beginning? Go back and rediscover that same passion. You will need that drive along the way.

3. Are we there yet?

Have you reached the end goal yet? If so, then celebrate it. If not, then finally finish what you started. Don’t lose sight.

You have the permission to finish.

The beautiful thing about this is that only you can have your story. I would encourage you to take notes along the way, so you can remember the important things and even those things that aren’t so important.

What have you been through to get to where you are today? You can leave a comment below.

Filed Under: Leadership

Adam Smith

I teach people how to have a greater impact through their work and their time. You can read more about me on my about page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chris Peek says

    February 26, 2013 at 6:52 am

    Great thoughts! It’s so easy to get caught up in the “look at all I have left to do” mindset. I don’t often take time to stop and appreciate my accomplishments thus far.

    Reply
    • Adam Smith says

      February 26, 2013 at 7:45 am

      Don’t we all Chris? 🙂

      Reply
  2. Chris Peek says

    February 26, 2013 at 6:52 am

    Great thoughts! It’s so easy to get caught up in the “look at all I have left to do” mindset. I don’t often take time to stop and appreciate my accomplishments thus far.

    Reply
    • Adam Smith says

      February 26, 2013 at 7:45 am

      Don’t we all Chris? 🙂

      Reply
  3. John Wylie says

    February 26, 2013 at 7:43 am

    I feel so empowered by this blog. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Adam Smith says

      February 26, 2013 at 7:44 am

      Awesome John. Thanks for checking it out.

      Reply
    • brianfalexander says

      February 26, 2013 at 7:51 am

      Glad I’m not the only one!

      Reply
      • Adam Smith says

        February 26, 2013 at 8:00 am

        Thanks Brian!

        Reply
  4. John Wylie says

    February 26, 2013 at 7:43 am

    I feel so empowered by this blog. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Adam Smith says

      February 26, 2013 at 7:44 am

      Awesome John. Thanks for checking it out.

      Reply
    • brianfalexander says

      February 26, 2013 at 7:51 am

      Glad I’m not the only one!

      Reply
      • Adam Smith says

        February 26, 2013 at 8:00 am

        Thanks Brian!

        Reply
  5. Hal Baird (@musicalhal) says

    February 26, 2013 at 8:47 am

    I think sometimes we are so conscious of what others are saying about our journey that we abandon the attainment of our goals. I am guilty of this. Many times I have to remind myself that it doesn’t matter what others think. What is important is that if my goal is noble (meaning something pleasing to God and for my growth or to better the world) then I must continue working toward it.

    Reply
    • Adam Smith says

      February 27, 2013 at 9:06 am

      That’s really good Hal. Thanks for sharing that.

      Reply
  6. Hal Baird (@musicalhal) says

    February 26, 2013 at 8:47 am

    I think sometimes we are so conscious of what others are saying about our journey that we abandon the attainment of our goals. I am guilty of this. Many times I have to remind myself that it doesn’t matter what others think. What is important is that if my goal is noble (meaning something pleasing to God and for my growth or to better the world) then I must continue working toward it.

    Reply
    • Adam Smith says

      February 27, 2013 at 9:06 am

      That’s really good Hal. Thanks for sharing that.

      Reply
  7. Brad Andres says

    March 3, 2013 at 7:11 am

    “Do not despise this small beginning, for the eyes of the Lord rejoice to see the work begin…” Zechariah 4:10 TLB
    This Scripture passage is in reference to finishing the rebuilding of the Temple in Israel. A huge goal which seemed far off in the distance.
    This is part of the encouragement I needed to start writing. God made this passage special to me, at a time when I needed it most.
    I wanted to share this for those who may be reading this post and have not yet begun to work on their God given goals and dreams. All great things come from humble beginnings. Take your journey!

    Now to answer the question: I’ve developed in my thought life, Formed new relationships, Grew in self discipline, Wrote some terrible blog posts, Felt the excitement upon hearing from someone living across the sea and how they grew from my writing, Experienced the hurt when someone attacked my writing (disagreements are okay but no one likes feeling rejected), Discovered I knew part of God’s purpose for me as I take this journey.

    Reply
  8. Brad Andres says

    March 3, 2013 at 7:11 am

    “Do not despise this small beginning, for the eyes of the Lord rejoice to see the work begin…” Zechariah 4:10 TLB
    This Scripture passage is in reference to finishing the rebuilding of the Temple in Israel. A huge goal which seemed far off in the distance.
    This is part of the encouragement I needed to start writing. God made this passage special to me, at a time when I needed it most.
    I wanted to share this for those who may be reading this post and have not yet begun to work on their God given goals and dreams. All great things come from humble beginnings. Take your journey!

    Now to answer the question: I’ve developed in my thought life, Formed new relationships, Grew in self discipline, Wrote some terrible blog posts, Felt the excitement upon hearing from someone living across the sea and how they grew from my writing, Experienced the hurt when someone attacked my writing (disagreements are okay but no one likes feeling rejected), Discovered I knew part of God’s purpose for me as I take this journey.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

About

Hi, my name is Adam Smith and welcome to asmithblog.com. I am the author of the book, The Bravest You. Because of my work as an entrepreneur, consultant, writer, and speaker, I have been named a top industry influencer by American Genius. I live with my wife, Jasmine, and three children in Shenandoah, IA.

[Read More…]

Podcast: Ideas

Ideas with Adam Smith Logo

Podcast: Live Life with Purpose

Life With Purpose Podcast Icon

The Bravest You by Adam Kirk Smith

Youtube: ASmithVideo

asmithvideo icon

Latest Posts

  • FREE BOOK… for a limited time!
  • Add Value
  • Books I’m Listening To…
  • Motive Matters
  • Books and Other Stuff

Adam Smith · Leadership in Life · asmithblog.com © 2025 · Adam Kirk Smith's blog on leadership, relationships, communication, creativity, and focus.