The question I’m playing with today is: Where does the future come from?
Most folks think that visions are created, and futures come about by the proclamations of a key leader at the “top.”
But our beliefs about what’s possible develop even more in everyday “water cooler” talk. Those seemingly insignificant exchanges add up. They determine whether our future looks vibrant and alive, or tired and listless.
(And these days, your “water cooler” can be as large as you want it to be — even global.)
What we talk about becomes “the way things are” — and the way things can be. Habits of speech create culture and culture tells us what is and isn’t possible … what we can and can’t do.
We are limited or liberated by those invisible agreements. (Until, we rebel, that is.)
Even casual comments can influence. Think about it for yourself: how often has a chance remark by someone influenced you, or even shaped how you see yourself?
“Just talking” in an intentional and thoughtful way, fully aware of the power of our words, may be our most revolutionary act.
Your thoughts? Leave a comment below.
Consulting? Maybe speaking, writing, coaching, facilitating, teaching, advising? Get the special report I’m just now finishing on 3 strategies ... “How to create the consulting practice you really want.” Click here for your complimentary copy.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Jim,
I used to think of “the future” as some time waaaaay out there, something to ponder a long time about and certainly to plan for, but I have come to realize and truly embrace and appreciate that “the present” only occurs for a second at a time and we are always moving into and through our future and creating the world we want in these minute increments each day as we go along. It is so freeing really to just live with passion and have “good work” to do – to make each minute count in my work life and in leisure too. Thanks for all the good thoughts and information you and Pam have sent out of late. My time with you two and other spectacular people that week not long ago in Little Rock forever changed my own world and how I can go about making it a better place for others in big and small ways every day.
Best,
Rose
Rose, it was nice to see your name here. And hearing your notion of how we live into the future by “creating the world we want in these minute increments each day as we go along.”
Pam and I may want to use your phrase: having “good work to do.”
Your noting about making each minute count, prompted a chuckle from me. I recall how hard charging you were at the time of the workshop, and what a job it was for you to extricate yourself to come.
You spent a week in Little Rock?! Rose, it was two days (and the preceding evening and following morning). Most people do recall it as having been longer.
If I don’t say so myself, it’s the genius for design that’s come from (e)valuating the workshop over and over: we get three sleeps during the course of our time together. We’ve researched this, and seen the difference that has made over getting two sleeps (!) and little gains, if any for four sleeps. Optimum.
Jim
Well let’s suppose this is the water cooler that you so eloquently describe….
Here is my current thought, which could change in the next moment: The present is filled with results of what has happened so far. The future is made out of what wants to happen next. The future is empty and available and the fullness of life naturally leans toward that available space. But what does want to happen next? Sometimes, when one gazes out at the world a powerful idea of what can be pops into your head. Where do our ideas come from? Mostly our ideas come from each other and the world we live in. Through observation and conversation we develop ideas of how reality is and what is possible. It is always a wonderful feeling when I learn something from another person and then I have a new sense of something I can do. In fact the word educate is sourced from the meaning “to lead out”. Where are you leading out from? You are leading out of the present and into the future.
It is a beautiful day out. When I consider what to do with my hour time before dinner, I might get on my bicycle, work in the yard, take a nap, or answer your email. I have those choices and many more. But which of these futures will I choose? I am answering this email so on the simple level Jim’s words set me in to action to respond. Jim created a space by creating a forum that did not exist before. And voila, others enter that space and start to build new life there.
But on a deeper level Jim wrote the words because something is rising up in him and it’s is rising up me and lots of other people as well. I think we are all linked by something that is in the realm of the invisible. Call it collective consciousness (or collective unconsciousness) or whatever you want, but there seems to be a network that links humanity together. Our ideas don’t come up in a vacuum, but some individuals do have the capability of articulating (or building) powerful new spaces. When a powerful person expresses a new idea with clarity into the vast empty space of the future, it changes reality for everyone. What makes an articulation powerful is that express something eternal in the present moment. Once a broad new brush stroke is laid down others ideas spark and creativity fills in the details. That is what the future is made of. Something wants to happen, what is it? Each of us owns a piece of the beautiful world that is trying to emerge.
Sue, ahhh, yes, expanding the horizon of what you and I can do because of something we’ve chosen to learn from another. The range of choices. Ahhhh.
I think you may be the only person on this forum who’s also in Cleveland. So I’ve been having that same great sunny day, too, and yet drawn to come indoors to continue the conversation.
You’ve hit upon one of the most important thinks I’ve learned in the last few years: that creating spaces where anything can happen…. it teaches us that, indeed, anything can happen — and that holds the promise of transferring that possibility anywhere.
Jim
These are powerful thoughts you have posted Jim. Many times we think that it is our vision taking us to the future. You have opened up a new dimension! Thank you very much!
Sahadev
Sahadev, on your way from Nepal to the workshop (and leadership program), I hope you’ll take a couple of photos of your day-and-a-half trek to the states?
It will do me so much good to see you again, and learn of all you’ve done on behalf of the conversation taking place in your country. (And for you to make me laugh belly-laughs.)
Jim
Jim you are right on target conversation weaves us together. It impacts our culture and our culture impact us. We are in addition to thinking beings, emotional, spiritual and social beings. Conversation is a vehical to express socially not only what we think but also what we sense/precieve and how we feel. When the focus of the conversation is on what we can appreciate it create infinite possibilities. Here in my part of Kentucky it is cloudly and raining yet I have visions of a sunny day.