"Vous êtes ce que vous choisissez d'être aujourd'hui pas ce que vous avez choisi d'être avant"

Every day is a fresh start. Essentially, that’s what the quote is getting at. It emphasizes the power of choice in the present moment, highlighting the idea that your identity and actions today matter more than any past decisions you’ve made. Think about it like this: no matter what paths, actions, or choices shaped your history, it’s the choices you make right now that define you the most.

Let’s rewind a bit to understand the historical or personal context of this idea. This perspective on choice and identity can be traced back to various philosophical traditions. Existentialists, for instance, like Jean-Paul Sartre, really hammered this idea home. They believed that existence precedes essence—meaning we define ourselves by our actions, continuously, rather than being defined by some static past.

Now, imagine you’re at work, feeling stuck in a rut because you made some bad calls in the past. Maybe you missed a deadline on a big project, or perhaps you got passed up for a promotion because of a mistake. That’s your history, sure, but what really matters is what you do now. Do you sulk and let it define your career, or do you step up, take on new challenges, and prove your worth today? The latter choice is what this quote is all about.

To put this wisdom into action, start by recognizing that every day presents a new opportunity to redefine yourself. It’s like hitting the reset button. So, if you want to make a change, don’t dwell on past failures or successes. Focus on what you can do today. Set small, achievable goals daily. If you want to be a better communicator, start by actively listening in your next meeting. If you aim to be healthier, choose a nutritious meal and a quick workout today, not tomorrow or next week.

Here’s a relatable scenario to bring this point home. Picture a friend of mine, Sarah. She was always known as the "party girl" during college—never taking things too seriously, and her grades reflected that. Fast forward a few years, and she’s in a job she’s not passionate about, feeling like her past has glued her down. But one day, Sarah decides enough is enough. She enrolls in evening classes, starts networking, and even finds a mentor. Over time, she shifts her career path entirely to something she loves. Everyone around her sees her as this dedicated, hardworking professional. Her past? It’s just a distant memory. What mattered were the choices she made every day to get there.

So next time you’re stuck in a loop thinking your past choices have you pinned, remember—you’re not the sum of what you did before. You’re the actions you take today. Embrace that, and watch how your life shifts.