DeLoreans are for Chumps – How To Examine the Worst of Your Past to Create Your Best Future.

April 16, 2013
photo courtesy of cmx82 on sxc.hu

photo courtesy of cmx82 on sxc.hu

You don’t need a car from the 80’s to make your future a better place. The toughest, coolest people on earth can do it by asking a few simple questions. Get ready, you’re about to go on a small journey back in time.

In this journey you will visit three places. Each place corresponds to one of the three worst experiences of your life.

Where did you go?

What are the 3 worst times of your life?

Can you answer for yourself what happened, how you felt, and how it affected you?

Now stop. Rather than going on an emotional spin-cycle, ask yourself a different question: With each event, what positive things did you learn from the experience, and how did it cause you to grow?

Don’t expect a simple answer right away.

You’re quick answer will likely be similar to mine. “It sucked. I didn’t learn anything. And I’d never want to go through anything like that again. That answer is not wrong. The experience was terrible, and you wouldn’t want to go through it again (at least I hope not!).

Bad experiences are not worth repeating.

Still, ask yourself what you learned from each experience. Do it out loud. And listen to the kinds of answers you come up with.

This process may take several days. Write those answers down, remember them, and you’ll now have something positive even out of the worst moments of your life.

Example: I had to take care of my mom when she had Lou Gehrig’s Disease. She loved me, but she was far from perfect. It can be  difficult to see what positive things can be gained from that kind of experience.

The answers I got? Good times and bad times are like chapters. No matter how long they may seem to stretch, they do end. Then another chapter begins.

here’s another one: Find the most good you can do in that one day, and do it – knowing that once the sun sets, that day will never come back.

Those sound like the exact opposite of a victim mentality.

Bad things will still happen. It will still suck. It’s part of being alive.

But if you do this exercise,  you’ll take a moment to frame your experience in a productive way.

And, ironically, you will be less likely to repeat those mistakes. You’ll have a better future, but without asking where you’d be if you didn’t do this exercise, you’d never know.

 

74 responses to DeLoreans are for Chumps – How To Examine the Worst of Your Past to Create Your Best Future.

  1. Interesting. I don’t like to think about those worst times, but I see how I can turn it around to something positive.

    I like how this post sounds like my all time favorite movie, Back to the Future.

  2. I simply want to tell you that I am just very new to blogging and site-building and honestly loved this website. More than likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You really have very good posts. Thanks a lot for sharing with us your website page.

  3. Charity sees the need not the cause.

  4. I just want to mention I am beginner to blogging and actually enjoyed your website. Very likely I’m likely to bookmark your website . You absolutely come with great writings. Cheers for sharing your website page.

  5. I just want to say I am newbie to blogging and site-building and honestly loved you’re web page. Very likely I’m likely to bookmark your website . You definitely come with very good well written articles. Bless you for sharing your blog site.

  6. I just want to tell you that I am very new to blogs and truly loved this web blog. Most likely I’m want to bookmark your blog . You amazingly come with amazing writings. Many thanks for sharing with us your web-site.

  7. I just want to mention I am just beginner to weblog and seriously loved you’re page. Likely I’m going to bookmark your blog . You surely come with really good articles. Kudos for sharing your web page.

  8. I just want to mention I am all new to blogging and definitely enjoyed this web page. Probably I’m likely to bookmark your site . You definitely have excellent writings. Many thanks for sharing your webpage.

  9. I just want to mention I’m new to blogging and certainly liked you’re website. Very likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You surely have incredible articles and reviews. With thanks for revealing your blog.

  10. I just want to say I am beginner to weblog and absolutely savored you’re web page. Probably I’m going to bookmark your blog post . You amazingly have beneficial articles and reviews. Thanks a lot for sharing with us your web page.

  11. I just want to mention I am very new to blogging and seriously savored your web page. Most likely I’m want to bookmark your blog . You surely have excellent article content. Thanks a lot for sharing your website page.

  12. I just want to mention I am very new to blogs and absolutely savored this web page. Almost certainly I’m going to bookmark your website . You certainly come with impressive posts. Regards for sharing your web-site.

  13. I just want to mention I’m very new to blogging and certainly enjoyed your web blog. More than likely I’m planning to bookmark your site . You certainly come with wonderful articles and reviews. Kudos for revealing your webpage.

  14. I simply want to mention I am beginner to weblog and certainly savored this blog. Likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You absolutely have fantastic stories. Thanks for revealing your web-site.

  15. I just want to tell you that I am just very new to blogging and site-building and truly liked you’re web blog. Most likely I’m likely to bookmark your site . You absolutely come with beneficial well written articles. Cheers for sharing with us your blog.

  16. I simply want to mention I am just all new to weblog and truly savored this web blog. Most likely I’m want to bookmark your blog . You definitely have impressive article content. Thanks a bunch for sharing with us your web-site.

  17. I just want to tell you that I’m very new to blogging and seriously liked your blog site. Likely I’m likely to bookmark your blog post . You actually have good writings. Bless you for sharing with us your blog site.

  18. I just want to mention I am very new to weblog and truly enjoyed your web page. More than likely I’m going to bookmark your website . You certainly have great writings. Bless you for revealing your website page.

  19. I just want to mention I’m very new to weblog and absolutely liked you’re web page. Probably I’m likely to bookmark your site . You surely have superb article content. Thank you for sharing your website.

  20. I simply want to say I am very new to blogging and actually savored you’re web page. Almost certainly I’m going to bookmark your website . You certainly have outstanding posts. Kudos for revealing your web-site.

  21. I just want to mention I am just new to blogging and honestly loved this web-site. Almost certainly I’m going to bookmark your blog post . You actually have incredible posts. Thanks a lot for revealing your webpage.

  22. I simply want to say I’m newbie to blogs and certainly savored this web page. Almost certainly I’m likely to bookmark your blog . You actually have exceptional articles and reviews. Thanks for sharing your web page.

  23. I simply want to tell you that I’m all new to blogging and site-building and truly savored this page. Likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You certainly come with terrific article content. Thanks for revealing your web-site.

  24. I just want to tell you that I’m beginner to blogs and seriously liked this web page. More than likely I’m planning to bookmark your website . You definitely come with really good stories. Many thanks for sharing your web-site.

  25. I just want to mention I’m beginner to blogs and definitely enjoyed this web site. Almost certainly I’m likely to bookmark your blog post . You really have fantastic articles. Thank you for sharing your website page.

  26. I simply want to tell you that I’m very new to weblog and actually enjoyed your blog site. Probably I’m planning to bookmark your blog . You actually have very good writings. Appreciate it for sharing with us your website page.

  27. I simply want to say I am just beginner to weblog and really loved this page. Likely I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You amazingly come with impressive articles. Cheers for revealing your blog site.

  28. I simply want to tell you that I am just newbie to blogging and actually enjoyed this web blog. Most likely I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You certainly come with tremendous writings. Appreciate it for revealing your webpage.

  29. I just want to mention I’m newbie to blogging and actually savored you’re web page. Almost certainly I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You definitely have awesome posts. Thank you for sharing your web page.

  30. I just want to say I’m new to blogging and honestly savored your website. Probably I’m want to bookmark your site . You really have excellent writings. Thanks a lot for sharing with us your blog site.

  31. I just want to tell you that I’m beginner to blogging and seriously enjoyed this website. Most likely I’m likely to bookmark your site . You really come with excellent well written articles. Bless you for sharing your blog site.

  32. I just want to tell you that I am just beginner to weblog and honestly liked your web blog. More than likely I’m going to bookmark your site . You certainly have terrific posts. Thanks for sharing with us your web-site.

  33. I simply want to mention I’m new to blogs and truly savored your web blog. Probably I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You definitely come with very good articles. Thanks a bunch for sharing with us your web-site.

  34. I just want to tell you that I’m newbie to weblog and definitely enjoyed this website. Probably I’m likely to bookmark your site . You actually come with awesome articles. Thanks a lot for revealing your web-site.

  35. I simply want to tell you that I am all new to blogging and site-building and honestly enjoyed you’re web-site. Probably I’m going to bookmark your website . You amazingly have remarkable article content. Thanks a lot for sharing with us your web page.

  36. I simply want to mention I am just new to blogs and seriously enjoyed this web page. Most likely I’m likely to bookmark your blog post . You actually have outstanding stories. Thank you for sharing your web-site.

  37. I just want to tell you that I am beginner to blogs and certainly liked you’re web blog. Very likely I’m likely to bookmark your website . You absolutely have excellent writings. Cheers for sharing your webpage.

  38. I simply want to say I’m very new to weblog and definitely enjoyed you’re blog. Most likely I’m likely to bookmark your blog post . You definitely have tremendous writings. Many thanks for revealing your webpage.

  39. Thanks For Your Valuable Share. Waiting For Your Next Article….

  40. There are always ears on the other side of the wall.

  41. Definitely, what a great website and instructive posts, I will bookmark your website.Best Regards!

  42. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was curious what all is required to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100% certain. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Kudos|

  43. These are in fact enormous ideas in on the topic of blogging. You have touched some nice factors here. Any way keep up wrinting.|

  44. Greetings I am so happy I found your web site, I really found you by accident, while I was researching on Bing for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a tremendous post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the awesome work.|

  45. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been conducting a little research on this. And he actually bought me lunch simply because I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to talk about this matter here on your web page.|

  46. Amazing! Its really awesome piece of writing, I have got much clear idea about from this piece of writing.|

  47. Every weekend i used to go to see this site, for the reason that i wish for enjoyment, for the reason that this this site conations really good funny stuff too.|

  48. I am curious to find out what blog system you have been utilizing? I’m experiencing some small security problems with my latest blog and I would like to find something more safe. Do you have any recommendations?|

  49. I’ll immediately clutch your rss as I can’t find your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me recognise in order that I may just subscribe. Thanks.|

  50. Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Thank you for providing this information.|

  51. I savour, lead to I discovered just what I was taking a look for. You’ve ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye|

  52. Hey there, You’ve done an excellent job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this site.|

  53. I’d like to find out more? I’d love to find out some additional information.|

  54. We’re a gaggle of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with valuable information to work on. You’ve performed an impressive job and our whole community will probably be grateful to you.|

  55. Hi just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same results.|

  56. I savour, cause I discovered just what I used to be looking for. You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye|

  57. A wise man changes his mind a fool never will.

  58. Howdy! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one? Thanks a lot!|

  59. Hello are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you need any html coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!|

  60. elderly life insurance May 2, 2015 at 8:09 pm

    Amazing things here. I am very happy to look your article. Thank you so much and I am taking a look forward to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?|

  61. It’s an amazing article in favor of all the web users; they will obtain benefit from it I am sure.|

  62. What a material of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious knowledge on the topic of unexpected feelings.|

  63. Link exchange is nothing else except it is only placing the other person’s website link on your page at appropriate place and other person will also do similar for you.|

  64. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you so much, However I am going through difficulties with your RSS. I don’t know why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting similar RSS problems? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanks!!|

  65. ny life insurance May 2, 2015 at 11:44 pm

    Thanks on your marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author. I will remember to bookmark your blog and may come back at some point. I want to encourage continue your great writing, have a nice afternoon!|

  66. credit reports May 3, 2015 at 12:15 am

    Hi there this is kind of of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!|

  67. I have been surfing on-line greater than 3 hours these days, but I never discovered any interesting article like yours. It is beautiful value sufficient for me. In my view, if all web owners and bloggers made excellent content as you did, the web can be much more helpful than ever before.|

  68. When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get three emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Cheers!|

  69. I could not refrain from commenting. Very well written!|

  70. Thanks in favor of sharing such a fastidious thought, post is pleasant, thats why i have read it entirely|

  71. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You clearly know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something informative to read?|

  72. universal life insurance May 3, 2015 at 7:14 am

    Wonderful site. Plenty of helpful information here. I’m sending it to some pals ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you to your effort!|

Trackbacks and Pingbacks:

  1. signal decoding - May 1, 2015

    Wikia

    Wika linked to this place

  2. Dumpster Rentals Long Island - May 3, 2015

    Looking around

    I like to browse in various places on the online world, often I will just go to Stumble Upon and follow thru