Clarity, despite our desire to have it in the present, is most often an experience we have only when looking in the rear-view mirror to see exactly how we got from A to B. Few are they who have both the foresight and good luck to see a goal in perfect clarity and carry it out exactly as planned.
That, of course, doesn’t mean there is no value in thinking ahead, imagining an outcome as we’d like it to be.
Here’s a little exercise to help do just that. I didn’t create this. In fact, the idea has been around long enough I’m not really sure who did, though I’m happy to take credit for my personal spin on it.
Imagine we’re having a conversation one week from today. That week went amazingly well. So well, in fact, that you come to me excitedly and exclaim:
“Holy crap, Logan! This week was amazing. let me tell you how I…”
…and you begin spouting off everything that exceeded your expectations. Talking in the past-tense as if this week has already happened, tell me in detail what you did, how you rose to challenges, nailed all your habits, did absolutely everything you wanted for the week including taking time to relax, overcame obstacles, and best of all, everything was just a little smoother and easier than you expected.
If you have 5 minutes, do that with me now – just open a writing app of any kind, start with the prompt, and go stream-of-consciousness for 5 minutes. Set a timer.
Now, look away from the page, take three long, deep breaths, make yourself smile like you’re about to chomp on your favorite birthday cake, and read it back aloud. Come on, do it. I know you’ll hesitate because you feel silly at first, but everyone already thinks you’re a weirdo for reading my blog anyway, so what do you have to lose? Read that thing out loud, and as you do, notice how you begin to feel.
That feeling is an emotional state you can access any time you want to help drive you to make decisions that support your wellbeing and success.
Don’t believe me? Give it a try. Need help? Give me a shout.
and for extra credit:
Try playing with different time frames. I like using 3 years, 25 years, and even 100 years. For the last, I either imagine I’m still alive and healthy or, if that’s too much of a stretch for you, take the perspective of a great-great-grandkid who somehow knows you just as well as you know yourself.
Once you’re done, take time to reflect. What seems clearer now for you? How does this perspective from a well-lived and happy future impact your choices for today?
Don’t tell me. Just go do it.
Logan Writes Here 