"Commencez large, développez-vous davantage et ne regardez jamais en arrière."

Starting wide, expanding further, and never looking back is a mantra that emphasizes the importance of beginning with a broad, open-minded approach, continuously growing, and moving forward without dwelling on the past. This idea can be particularly powerful when you’re embarking on a new project, career, or any significant life change.

Imagine you’re at the beginning of your career. You’ve just graduated, and you’re considering your options. Starting wide means you don’t limit yourself to one specific job or field right away. You explore various industries, attend different workshops, and maybe even try out internships in fields you hadn’t initially considered. This phase is all about gathering experiences and learning as much as you can. It’s like casting a wide net to see what you catch.

Now, as you start to get a feel for what interests you the most, you begin to expand further. Let’s say you discovered a passion for digital marketing. You dive deeper—taking specialized courses, seeking mentorship from experienced professionals, and staying updated with the latest industry trends. This stage is about growing your expertise and expanding your network, ensuring you build on the broad foundation you started with.

The last part—never looking back—reminds us not to get bogged down by past mistakes or regrets. We all make choices that don’t pan out. But the key is to learn from them and keep moving forward. Dwelling on the past can keep you stagnant; instead, focus on continuous improvement and future opportunities.

Think of the story of Steve Jobs. When he was ousted from Apple, the company he co-founded, he didn’t let that setback define him. Instead, he started a new venture, NeXT, and bought Pixar, which went on to become incredibly successful. Eventually, he returned to Apple and led it to become one of the most valuable companies in the world. Jobs' journey perfectly illustrates starting with a broad vision, expanding his horizons, and not letting past failures hold him back.

For practical advice, consider this: when starting a new endeavor, be curious and open to various possibilities. Don’t box yourself into a single path too soon. Explore different roles, projects, or even hobbies. As you gather experiences, identify what excites and motivates you, and then invest time and energy into deepening your knowledge and skills in that area. And when faced with setbacks or doubts, remind yourself to keep looking forward. The past is a place of learning, not a place to live.

Let’s bring this idea to life with a relatable scenario. Imagine you’re interested in cooking but have never stepped into a commercial kitchen. You start by experimenting at home, trying different cuisines. You then take a job at a local café, learning the ropes. After a while, you decide to attend culinary school. Along the way, you make mistakes—maybe a dish doesn’t turn out right, or you burn yourself. But you don’t let these setbacks stop you. Each experience adds to your culinary skills. Eventually, you open your own restaurant, drawing on all the diverse experiences you’ve had. Your journey, from experimenting in your kitchen to running a successful restaurant, embodies the essence of starting wide, expanding further, and never looking back.

In the end, this quote is all about embracing the journey—beginning with an open mind, continuously growing, and always moving forward. It’s a powerful reminder to keep pushing our boundaries and to never let the past hold us back.