Turns Out, My Rearview Mirror Works Just Fine

Here's the thing—I often joke I don't have a rearview mirror. Turns out, mine just needed some adjusting. 

I am always looking forward, eyes firmly fixed on what's next. Usually, this mindset serves me well. But recently, I realized there is genuine power in occasionally checking that rearview mirror. 

Last month, at an industry conference I’d attended only once before, I encountered plenty of new faces. For three solid days, the question echoed: "Tell me your story." And so, repeatedly, I shared my journey. 

I began at Paychex at 19, spending my entire 20s there. Later, I transitioned to PayNW, where we grew from 100 clients and $500K in revenue to over 1,200 clients and $13M. Honestly, I’ve recounted this story so many times it probably deserves royalties. 

But a few curious attendees went deeper: “Tell me how you overcame that challenge…” 

So I did. 

I told them about the time my boss looked me straight in the eye and said, “Double the revenue. Two years.” No roadmap, no playbook—just a bold target and a whole lot of trust. 

We made a plan, rallied the team, and reworked nearly every part of the business. 

And we did it. In 18 months. 

As I shared that story—not just the win, but the grit it took to get there—I realized something surprising: I could finally see how far I had come. 

On the third night, as I laid down to rest, it clicked. I constantly charge forward, driven by dreams and plans for what's next. If something falters, I pivot quickly, shrug off the disappointment, and press onward. But rarely do I pause to appreciate the incredible miles already traveled. 

Reflecting at home, ready to write, I realized the lesson wasn't quite over—Ben walked in. 

"What are you doing, Mom?" he asked. 

"Writing a blog," I answered. 

"What's it about?" 

"You know how I always tell you that you look in the rearview mirror too much?" I said. 

"Yeah," he admitted with a knowing smile. "I do." 

"Well, buddy, turns out I probably need to glance in mine a bit more often." 

Our conversation turned into one of those meaningful parent-child exchanges, discussing how Ben’s frequent glances back might obscure his bright future, while my relentless forward gaze causes me to overlook the impressive ground already covered. 

So here's a thought for you: When did you last really check your rearview mirror? You might be amazed at just how far you've already traveled. 

Gratefully,