Use the past...

Over the last 3 days I have stumbled a little on the path towards my goals, but over the past month I have picked myself up from where I was.

Compared to the first half of last year, this year is not so good, but the past 5 years have seen me move forward in leaps and bounds.

We can use the past to validate the negative or highlight the positive - which one you choose is entirely up to you…