Welcome to the second module!
Together, we’re going to discuss what “futures thinking” actually means. But first, we have another question for you. Use the bottom-right arrows to go to the next screen.
Notice a difference?
A change for tomorrow usually focuses on a specific part of your life. Perhaps that answer was immediate? And maybe it was something that made your life a little easier or better?
As we look further into the future, we begin to consider more possibilities. And often, the intention isn’t only focused on yourself but also on your surroundings. Do you recognise this?
Mental time travel.
One way to explore the future is called 'mental time travel'. You have to try to imagine an event and then train yourself to go through all the possible scenarios in your mind. Just like you did when you put up that big party tent, remember?
This goes beyond predicting what will happen.
Suppose you’re listening to the radio, and you hear the weather forecast for strong winds tomorrow. What do you imagine, then? Do you see your fence collapsing, or are you picturing yourself kite surfing? Because you've already done the mental time travel, you can think about reinforcing your fence ahead of time or getting your kite surfing gear ready.
It goes beyond daydreaming.
In daydreams, miracles can happen, or you might have superpowers.
In mental time travel, the laws of nature still rule. Because you stay realistic, you’re better at assessing changes or the consequences of new situations.
Mental time travel is not for narrow-minded people.
In nearly every crisis and breakthrough moment, we often hear someone say, “Unbelievable!” or “Nobody saw this coming”. In reality, there are always signs. The future already reveals itself through all kinds of small cracks in the present.
“Don't let the conversation stagnate!”
As a futures thinker, you see the environment changing and consider what you’re going to do about it. Sometimes, it’s on a small scale in your personal environment, and sometimes you approach it on a societal scale.
A futures thinker isn’t alone.
If you start working on your personal future today, you’re also working on changing our collective future. By engaging in the conversation about shared future scenarios, you can better shape your personal future.
Like Tessa said, futures thinking is a way to deal with uncertainty.
Do you have the guts to get involved in your organisation's future scenarios? We’ve got good news for you, that's what the next module is about, among other things!
