This is probably something we all do: fantasize about our ideal future. How many of us try to take logical steps and measures to make it come true? When we try to visualize our future, we all see different things. This is because we look through our own personal theories (mental models). Our theory (thoughts) directs our actions and these determine our results. Which of the four following popular theories do you attest to? One popular theory of the future is the “Garden Hose Theory”. Picture yourself with your eye to the end of a hosepipe and someone “out there” has turned on the tap. It’s just a matter of time before the water arrives. With this theory, the future is predetermined. A second classic future theory is the “Snowshoe Theory”. You know snowshoes, those big cumbersome tennis rackets that you wear in the snow to keep you from sinking, but which leave an unmistakable track. With this theory, you can say with confidence, “OK, that is where I was and this is where I am!” Then you turn around and draw out a straight line and say “So, this is where I must be going!” You extrapolate the future from your past. The “Expert Theory” is another future theory. Ask an expert – they’re always happy to give sound advice. However, ask 20 experts and you will get at least 10 different answers! It’s like the kindergarten class that was given a turtle. Unable to determine if the turtle was male or female, they voted. GAPzip’s perspective on the future is what we call the “Preferable Theory”. The key to this theory is recognizing that the future does not exist someplace “out there”. It lies here within us. When applying the Preferable Theory, we should ask ourselves, “Which of the many possibilities, do I prefer? Do I want mobility? Stability? Hire new staff? Take a vacation? Do I want more time with the family? Once we have clarity on our life-purpose, it is time to clearly define the ideal future. Here we paint a clear and complete picture of the end state we are seeking. What would the world around you look like if you if you were to implement the ideas for yourideal future?
