Your past does not determine your future!

Sometimes we look at what we have accomplished in the past and determine what we can accomplish in the future based on that.  But, think about it.  If we always did that, we'd never have "firsts".  A first day at school.  A first trip on an airplane.  A first time speaking in front of people.  A first time holding a skin care party.  A first sale.  How about a first win?

Yesterday marked a "first" for young Irish golfer Rory McIlroy.  As much as I love to play sports, I don't watch very many.  But all week, Ross kept telling me about this twenty-something young man from Northern Ireland who was blowing the US Open out of the water.  Rory has been doing very well since becoming a pro in 2007, and has already had 1 PGA win...but this was his FIRST major.  If you're not familiar with golf, there are four tournaments each year that are considered to be the most prestigious and are often referred to as "the Majors" -- and the US Open is one of them.  

This young man has been playing very well since becoming a pro in 2007, but his performance at the Masters just a couple of months ago (also a Major) could have easily deterred most people from coming back anytime soon.  He entered the 4th day at the Masters in the lead by 4 strokes (a pretty good lead) and by the end he not only lost the tournament, he actually shot the worst round in history by any professional golfer leading after the third round of the Masters.  He went from being in 1st place at the beginning of the last day to finishing 15th!  For golf that's a big deal!

So first of all, think of how devastating that loss was to his confidence as a golfer.  Think how long do we sometimes carry a loss with us... the kind that can prevent us from moving forward?  He could have easily believed that he just didn't have what it took to be a professional golfer let alone win a Major!  But champions know that your past does not determine your future!

In this weekend's tournament, he led the pack from day one... just like he did at the Masters...and this time he entered the final day ahead of the next golfer by 8 strokes!  During his interview he said that he knew walking into the last day that with his lead, this was his to lose.  When asked about his devastating loss at the Masters, Rory said that his loss there taught him so much about himself.  You see, failures are not the end if we don't allow them to be.  Failures can be your stepping block to the next level.  If you choose to learn from your mistakes, they will make you even stronger the next time.

Your past is a huge part of who you will become.  Experience is what helps us to grow, but your past does NOT determine your future...you do!  What have you learned about yourself from a past failure - big or small?  I see you as a champion.  I believe you have everything it takes to have your "first".  What first will you have this week?