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Writer's pictureRuthy Siemens

Which view are you looking at?: Rear-view mirror or Windshield? Part 1

Updated: Feb 11, 2021


This is the part one of a 3 part series that explores reaching towards our goals.

What Have I done in the past 3 months?


Do you ever look back 3 months and think wow those just flew by?! What did I accomplish or learn in the last 3 months?


I don’t know about you, but for me I speculate that the separation as a result of COVID-19 is going to last at least 2-3 months and I see this time as an opportunity to dream and to grow.


I've been making a list of things that I want to learn in the next 3 months. This list includes learning the guitar and drums and starting up a Financial coaching business to help people through this difficult time. I might not succeed at any of these things but it couldn’t hurt to learn things while “passing the time” during this season. It's just a good perspective to have throughout all of life, to continue learning.


I challenge you to take this down time to become intentional about dreaming of goals that you want or need. Stop looking back and wondering what you did with your time besides re-watching the Girlmore Girls or the Tiger King. Instead, be proud of all that you’ve accomplished, and look forward to the possibilities! This is why the rear-view mirror in a car is smaller than the windshield.

Look forward, not back!

My eldest son’s phys-ed teacher recently challenged the junior high students to run 42 Kilometres and the first 5 to accomplish this would win a large pizza. Originally, my son didn’t want to participate in this challenge because he said,

“I’m not a long distance runner.”

However, because of his teacher’s encouragement, he started running. He started out with 3 Kilometres a day and then by day seven he was running 6 Kilometres a day. After eight days, he had run 42 km on the treadmill. He didn’t run all 6 Kilometres in one run, but took short breaks in between Kilometres. He told me that without a goal of 42 km, there was no way that he could have run 6 Kilometres in one day. I’m excited that he learned a valuable life lesson. He learned that we are able to accomplish MORE when we have a goal and that breaking a goal down into smaller achievable parts helps us to achieve the difficult, instead of aimlessly running through life!


“Choose your love, then love your choice.”

(Thomas Monson).

What do you NEED to happen in your family in the next 3-6 months?


Maybe you need to focus on your child improving their reading skills. Maybe your family is drowning in debt and needs a financial overhaul. Here’s a Art of Manliness podcast that I listened to a couple years ago and it has changed our family perspective and helped us focus on our family goals and priorities for a specified amount of time. I challenge you to listen to this podcast and print out the Family Scorecard

and start dreaming of what you need to happen in the next 3-6 months.


What can you start doing today?

Set large financial goals like dreaming about what you want your retirement to look like.


Set short (six month) and long term (five year) financial goals. As Jim Rohn said,

“Become a millionaire not for the million dollars, but for what it will make of you to achieve it”.


Now Go and Be Intentional!








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