The future and the possibilities
There is a great Buddhist saying “Leave your front door and your back door open. Allow your thoughts to come and go. Just don’t serve them tea.” -Shunryu Suzuki
IMAGINE A DIFFERENT FUTURE
What can happen when you imagine a different future? This is a tool that has been key my whole life so I thought I better write that down in case no one has reminded you lately that you write your own ticket, no matter what anyone tries to tell you.
Imagining a different future is the first step to changing your trajectory. Before I had a college degree, I imagined what it would be like to have one. What would it be like to put that on my resume and tell someone I graduated from somewhere? What would it be like if I didn’t have to worry about paying rent? Could I pick up the bill in restaurants? Could order whatever I wanted?
Important note on this. I don’t believe you need a college degree to be successful at anything, this is just an example. It was a goal that separated the haves and the have-nots, the good jobs from the bad jobs, at the time I was growing up and making life plans.
Lately, I have been taking a closer look and relearning decision-making and planning for future outcomes. I came across this futurist planning framework and it is has been a great way to quickly focus your thoughts. Here is this basic premise and I encourage you to follow the link and do more research for yourself.
The futurists' framework by Joseph Voros
What is the probable future? This is basic math based on what you know, “business as usual” facts, all known watermarks taken into account.
What is the preferable future? This is the ideal situation based on what you would like to happen. Include value judgments. Think about what you want to happen and what do you think SHOULD happen.
What is a possible future? Wildcard dreaming — that has never been done. “Impossible!” “That will never happen!” What could this be? HOW BIG CAN YOU DREAM? GO BIGGER.
More information can be learned @ The Future Cone, Use and History
