"挡风玻璃比后视镜大很多是有原因的"

The essence of that saying is all about focusing on what lies ahead of you rather than what's behind you. It’s a simple yet profound way of reminding us that the future holds more significance than the past. Life should be more about looking forward with anticipation and hope, rather than constantly dwelling on past events that we can't change.

Historically, this analogy comes from the world of driving. When you're behind the wheel, the windshield offers a broad view of the road ahead, helping you steer and navigate. The rearview mirror, while necessary, is small and meant for occasional glances to check what's behind you. This mirrors (pun intended) how we should approach life. The past has its place—we can learn from it—but it’s the future where we should keep our main focus.

Think about someone starting a new business. They might have had a failed venture in the past. If they keep obsessing over what went wrong before, it could paralyze them with fear or doubt. Instead, if they use their past experience as a learning tool and keep their eyes on the road ahead, they’re more likely to succeed. They'd celebrate small victories, stay adaptable, and keep refining their path forward.

So, how do you apply this wisdom? Start by acknowledging your past—both the good and the bad. Learn from it, but don’t let it dominate your present decisions. Set goals for the future and break them down into actionable steps. Create a vision board or write down your aspirations. Every time you catch yourself ruminating about something that’s already happened, gently steer your mind back to your current goals and the steps you're taking towards them.

Picture this: You're in a coffee shop, catching up with an old friend. They've just been laid off and are feeling pretty low. They keep talking about how they didn't see it coming, how unfair it was, how they could’ve done things differently. You listen, because that's what friends do. Then you gently steer the conversation. “Hey, I know this sucks. But what do you want to do next? Remember how you always talked about starting your own graphic design business? Maybe this is the push you needed.”

In that moment, you’re helping your friend shift their focus from the rearview mirror to the windshield. You’re not dismissing their feelings or their past experiences, but you’re encouraging them to look forward to new possibilities.

Every time you're stuck in a rut, ask yourself: Am I looking through the windshield or the rearview mirror? It can be a game-changer. Life throws curveballs, and sometimes we hit a few bumps. But if we keep our eyes on the road ahead, we’re more likely to navigate through with hope and determination.