Don’t “Future Trip” — Envision it and Make it Happen

Knowledge bomb from Catalyst Noelle Cordeaux: One of the things that gets in the way of goal accomplishment is having too many possible “Future selves.” A future self is an idea of someone we’d like to become, someone we’ve envisioned or dreamed up in our head.

When we try to keep all of our options open we often, we end up treading water, moving no where at all. It is hard to say goodbye to a concept of self that has not come to pass or might need to be set aside for another time. There is grieving involved. I know this process deeply. I have said goodbye to many versions of myself and grieved each one as I walked through a different, open door.

It’s important to take the time to grieve, but do not linger and languish in this space because future potential, and improved quality of life based upon your authentic strengths is limitless. To every self that you have said goodbye to — there was a dark side — a reason — a warning — and a lesson that you needed to learn. I know this deeply as well.

Collect your lessons and name them as knowledge earned.

Next, turn your face to the open road before you, and the sun.

Try this at home: sit and write for 20 minutes for three days in a row about what your life will look like 5, 10, and 15 years from now. Detail what your life looks like as if everything has gone as well as it possibly could. Dream in detail. What colors are on the walls of your home? Who is around you? What are you doing?

My future vision always starts with a kitchen. Food and friends are so very central to my being that my heart always goes there. I am usually chopping something with lots of sunlight… ANYWAY…

This exercise is one that is known as optimism training and has many benefits. First, and most importantly, it allows you to hone in on one version and only one version of your future self. Pay attention to what shows up in the exercise. What goals emerge and what do you need to do let go of in order to the end result you envisioned? Be sure to write everything down so you can take appropriate action.

This exercise is also a positive intervention and will provide you with increased mood for up to three weeks! It really works!

Is your future vision cloudy??? Mine is right now — don’t worry about it. Focus on what comes into focus for you as you complete this exercise and take it from there…

Want to debrief this with a Catalyst? Get free 20 minutes of clarity here.