During a recent trip to London (to witness Olympic fever first hand), I noticed the following inscription on the War Memorial Gates at the end of Constitution Hill:

"OUR FUTURE IS GREATER THAN OUR PAST"
Ben Okri

Whatever your past may hold, the ups and downs that life has thrown at you, and whatever you're feeling now, the future does have the potential to be greater than your past....if you create it to be. Do not dwell on past misfortunes, errors or bad luck. Starting today, you can make a choice to change your future. Staying on the Olympic theme, here's two examples of Team GB athletes who put their past behind them to achieve greater things in their futures:

Greg Rutherford: Long Jumper
In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Greg finished in 10th place after a number of health issues plagued his performance (suffering from a combination of kidney infection, lung infection and then tonsillitis). He was even discovered in his apartment in a state of near unconsciousness. After this disappointment, he was on the verge of giving up athletics for good.

But Greg didn't give up...

London 2012:
Greg Rutherford, Long Jump Gold Medalist:

Jessica Ennis, Heptathlete
Jessica had to face the huge disappointment of withdrawing from the 2008 Olympics through injury.

London 2012: Jessica won the Heptathlon Gold Medal in convincing fashion.

So look ahead, not behind, and begin to create your future to make it greater than your past.

Decide. Commit. Act.