Tiffany Yates Martin is a writer, writing coach, and editor who blogs on her own site at FoxPrint Editorial, as well as for multiple other writing blogs. In a recent post, she says writers and creative people should try to measure their success based on what you do, rather than on what they wanted to do.
At the end of her year, Martin scrolled back through her social media feeds, not for vanity, but to remind herself of her experiences and accomplishments. She found joy in looking back on what she did, rather than focusing on what her year lacked.
I bet a lot of us are feeling a certain way this year. Maybe we didn’t finish our novels, or hit our word count goal, or start that podcast. But I bet we all had other accomplishments that we neglect, because we are so focused on what we failed to achieve.
Looking back also has its side benefits. “Realize that you’re only seeing the highlights, and as impressive as your life looks on your social media feeds, you know the interstices: the mundane, dull, difficult,” Martin writes. “Remind yourself that’s what other people’s posts—and lives—are too.” All lives have crappy moments, even the internet-ready lives that look perfect. When you look back at what you bragged about online over the past year, remember that you also had cruddy moments you didn’t share. So did everyone else, even the people you most envy.
So, celebrate what you have. Look back on what you accomplished, without counting up what you didn’t. And don’t wait until next year to reflect on what you’re achieving today. Be proud of yourself now. Enjoy the moment and live in the memories you’re making.
