The Power of Looking Back: Using Reflection to Fuel Your Progress

Introduction

There are two secrets to forward progress, in life and in art. Number One: Act first, perfect later. Number Two, and the topic of this week’s blog: Don’t forget to look back.

Moving forward is great…

…and quite necessary in fact, when looking to make steady gains towards your goals.

But when you look behind you, the real magic takes place.

That’s when it comes into clear focus how far you have already come, the things you have accomplished, and how you have evolved as a person. There is nothing more mood-boosting than looking back (as far as you have to) and giving yourself credit for how far you have come. It lights the fire of possibility as we imagine what we could do in the next year!

My art business progress is slow. I still don’t make much money at it, certainly compared to my big dreams. But when I look back at my first day in this studio, just 4 years ago, I was definitely just trying to “fake it til ya make it.” I had good ideas, but they were safe and cautious and didn’t really differentiate me as an artist. I thought I had to “be a real artist” by producing a certain type of work in a certain way. I sold a very occasional piece, and then second guessed its quality and felt guilty charging what I needed to charge.

But by the next year, I was asked to teach wheel throwing, and worked on several commissions. This was followed by honing in on my own style and creating small collections that (almost) sold out. And this year, I was the highest grossing artist at a local sale, and have completed my first wholesale order. I’m also on my 23rd blog, quadrupled my VIP list of subscribers, and have created an online store. Am I making a living?  Not…yet.

But do I have a vision that totally motivates me? Can I see the future and trust that I’ll keep moving steadily towards my goals? Absolutely. Because I have specific plans in place, and I’m just implementing, reflecting, adjusting, and implementing again. There is nothing like that feeling of living and breathing my dream career journey, and the freedom that comes with where I am today.

Join me on this quick plan of action towards using a reflective look backwards to propel yourself forwards.

Growth is inevitable.

Remember where you started, and keep going.

The Gap vs. The Gain: A Framework for Creative Growth

If you haven’t read - or listened to - the book on this topic by Dan Sullivan, I recommend it. This concept keeps resurfacing in my life, and it’s time to put it to WORK in my art practice and business, which means sharing it with you too!

What is the Gap?

“The Gap” is not just a store in the mall, but refers to the distance between where you are and where you want to be. As humans, we just naturally focus on what’s missing, lacking, or not yet achieved. We disguise this as being “ambitious,” or “goal-oriented,” but this perspective has a dark side.

Gap-thinking creates discouragement and creative blocks, by emphasizing insidiously negative responses like:

- “I’m not making enough money from my art yet”

- “Once I achieve (income goal, prestige marker, material possession), I’ll be able to relax and enjoy it.”

- “Oh, thanks, but it’s not quite good enough yet, I need to (take a class, get a new tool, find a better process)”

What is the Gain?

In contrast, “The Gain” refers to the distance between where you started and where you are now. Make no mistake: You are still in the same place. But when you shift to putting reality at the forefront, you are focused on the actual evidence of your progress. This helps quiet the voices that say “you’re not there yet.”

Let’s measure progress from our actual starting point, not our imagined destination. Hell, where we think we’re going may actually not be where we end up - and staying in the moment, keeping an open mind - well it can totally propel us to places we’d never pictured. But if all we do is see what hasn’t happened yet…our brain is just reinforcing the fact that we have not arrived/failed/are lacking.

Gain-thinking builds momentum and confidence, with thinking like:

- “Four years ago I felt like I didn’t belong here, and this year I was the highest grossing artist at the sale!”

- “7 months ago I didn’t have a blog. I’m currently writing my 23rd blog and have a steady group of readers who enjoy hearing from me!”

- “7 years ago I was overwhelmed, overworked, felt trapped in my career, and felt like there was absolutely no way out of it. Today I went out to breakfast with my family, took my son to the doctor, took my daughter to spend time with her friends, cleaned up the house, and still got my work tasks done for the day.”

Now, especially that last one hits home for me. I regularly cried tears of hopelessness in those days, though most people didn’t know it. I loved what I actually DID at work, but not the physical requirements of spending long hours in an office. I did not feel a part of my life. 

The transformation was NOT overnight, just ask my coach Suzanne. I first talked to her about my struggles in 2008! I slowly began making changes…but only officially resigned from my last health care job a few months ago, in May of 2025. So looking backward is key for me now. Because it reminds me that holding your vision close, taking steady gains regularly, stopping to rest and give yourself grace - all of these things will bring you to who you are now. And the best is yet to come.

One step at a time.

You’ll make it all the way across before you know it.

Put It Into Practice: Your 3-Step Reflection Process

Step 1: Pick Your Starting Point

- Choose a meaningful “Day 1” moment (first day in studio, first piece sold, career change, etc.)

- Go back as far as you need to see real progress

- Your timeline might be 6 months, 4 years, or even longer

Step 2: Document Your Gains (5 Categories)

- Skills: What can you do now that you couldn’t do then?

- Confidence: How has your artistic voice evolved?

- Opportunities: What doors have opened?

- Community: Who is in your creative circle now?

- Freedom: How has your daily life changed?

Step 3: Connect Past Gains to Future Possibilities

- If you’ve come this far in X years, what’s possible in the next X years?

- What patterns helped you thrive? Do more of that.

- Use your evidence to fuel bigger goals

Two Quick Exercises to Get Started

Exercise 1: The Evidence List

Write down 10 specific things you can do/have/are now that weren’t true at your starting point. Keep this list handy for tough days.

Exercise 2: The Future Reflection

Now, let’s take it further: Write a paragraph as if you’re looking back one year from now. What gains will you be celebrating then?

Pen to paper:

Things move onward and upward, and you will too.

What small wins will build you up over the next year?

When Reflection is Painful 

The danger in looking back is that loss is part of life. Setbacks and disappointments and grief. Focusing on your gains in no way takes away these hard parts of life. But we just can’t let those things take over the whole story. Goals and gratitude for today’s reality can coexist. You’re allowed to want more AND appreciate how far you’ve come, including the challenges you have faced. 

Your Weekly Reflection Ritual: The “Done” List

Forget the endless to-do list for a moment. Instead, create a “Done” list every week. 

At the end of each week, write down everything you accomplished - no matter how small:

- Pieces you worked on (even if unfinished)

- Skills you practiced

- People you connected with

- Problems you solved

- Risks you took

- Moments you showed up despite not feeling ready

Don’t Want to Write? Make It Visual!

- Keep a running list in a notebook or phone

- Take photos of work in progress, not just finished pieces

- Save positive comments, texts, or emails in a “wins” folder

- Track streaks: “Week 3 of daily studio time” or “5th blog published”

And Then Ask the Magic Question

After writing your Done list, ask: “What does this list tell me about who I’m becoming?” This question can reinforce your self-concept, or how you places where you may want to start taking more action in a new direction.

This simple shift from “What do I still need to do?” to “Look what I actually did” changes everything. You start seeing yourself as someone who gets things done, who shows up, who makes progress. And that person? They’re capable of so much more.

Conclusion: The Backward Glance That Moves You Forward

There’s another side to looking back to find your gains. Maybe you see some areas of loss, things that you’ve given up over the years. You all know by now that I gave up a successful career in healthcare. And yes, I’m making less money. I’ve already referred to the amazing gain of living my biggest dream as an artist. But there’s something more that I’ve gained, something much more important. 

I am happy when I get home. I am always laughing, ready to say yes to changes of plans. I used to carry such tension, always feeling underwater at work, always trying to get in early and stay late to “catch up” on charts. And for me, that just weighed on my mind and I had a hard time releasing it at home. 

Now? I’m full of energy, I see beauty everywhere, I am a regular at my son’s baseball games, I am happy to carpool a group of kids to theatre practice. I go for walks, I breathe more freely. I know what I don’t have - the big salary, the traditional security - and I’m totally fine with it. With every gap, there’s always a gain - there’s always a trade off, and we get to choose.

With Enthusiasm for Art & Life,

Heidi

Call to Action: Share one gain from your journey in the comments - something you can do now that you didn’t think possible a year ago. Let’s celebrate our collective progress!