Some families send holiday pictures, comics, or sports clips to stay connected. Our family? We send all of those, plus Wordle scores and the occasional YouTube video. A few weeks ago, my son Jeffrey sent me a video link. It was long, so I put it aside until one sleepless night when I remembered it and decided to dive in.

The video featured John Demartini, a deep thinker whose messages resonate over time rather than in a single sitting. One story he shared stuck with me: DeMartini worked with a doctor’s office and suggested the staff revisit files of former patients. He asked them to think positively about those patients as they reviewed the files. Remarkably, 20% of the patients returned to the practice.

Inspired, I decided to try something similar. I revisited my files, LinkedIn connections, and past coaching clients. I reflected on the work we’d done together, the programs I’d presented, and the organizations where I’d engaged in systemic change. Journaling about these experiences brought a surprising surge of energy and excitement for my work. It also sparked fresh ideas for future programming.

In today’s fast-paced world, we’re so focused on moving forward that we rarely take time to look back. Yet revisiting past experiences can uncover valuable insights and reignite passion for what we do. By reflecting on where we’ve been, we can find inspiration for where we’re going. Consider taking time this week to revisit your own professional past. You might be surprised by the energy and ideas it brings.