A few weeks ago I shared this quote on LinkedIn from an unknown author:
“Don’t be afraid to start over. This time you’re not starting from scratch, you’re starting from experience.”
I’ve been reflecting on this concept for awhile now, and am just amazed at how true and relevant it is for virtually all of us. If you really take the time to think about it, you almost certainly have had to “start over” in many areas of your life many times.
From something as basic as a daily task at home, school or work that needs to be redone, to larger, more drastic events like starting over in a new city, a career, or an important relationship—we all have to “start over” in some way at some point.
Starting over can be frustrating, intimidating, and exhausting. But it can also be exciting, satisfying, and life-giving! And as noted in the quote above, there’s one big difference between starting over and starting from scratch: experience.
Experience is an incredible teacher. Experience gives you the gifts of mistakes made, successes achieved, and lessons learned. Experience gives you unique insights and perspectives you wouldn’t otherwise have. So while “starting over” might sometimes seem like backwards progress, it is still progress—because you are continuing on in a new way, equipped with useful insights and lessons learned.
Don’t be afraid to start over. Don’t be embarrassed to start over. Don’t be discouraged by the need to start over. Realize how much of an advantage you have over starting from scratch, then leverage that advantage, get excited, and go start over!
