This Way Forward
A great way to properly prime your mind for a new year is to adopt a skill called, forward thinking. What is forward thinking? Forward thinking in its simplest definition is exactly what is sounds like: looking forward, looking ahead, and looking to the future. Forward thinking is a technique that forces you to think progressively and innovatively. The reason why I refer to it as a skill and a technique is because the actual implementation of it does require work. Forward thinking is often unnatural and uncommon considering many people tend to lean toward traits directly opposite of forward thinking inclusive of dwelling in the past, small-mindedness and being trapped by conventional thinking. So, this notion of forward thinking is something that is learned over-time through the acquisition of knowledge and experiences; and, more importantly something that can be improved upon if you are intention about developing it.
Why is forward thinking significant? Forward thinking engages your brain in such a way that stretches you and forces you to become more creative; which ultimately leads you to get new results other than those that you may have previously gotten. Setting New Year’s Resolutions is great and creating an annual Vision Board is even better; but, if you use those tools without the proper frame of mind then you are not setting yourself up for optimum success. In fact, you are probably just going through the motions and not establishing and environment for big action. You want to make big action!
At this point in the year, it’s the perfect time to practice the skill of forward thinking; and, below are three simple immediate ways you can begin.
1. Set Aside the Time
We live in a day and age where it is increasingly becoming more difficult to just think. Between life’s demands and daily to do lists, big picture thinking is something that most people do not have the luxury of doing. Becoming more of a forward thinker will require you to be intentional about the time and space you give yourself to think about the vision and the plan. If this is something that is more challenging for you, you may just want to start off by dedicating at least one day per month to this. That could be divided up into weeks of that’s easier as well.
2. Write Down Your Unfiltered Thoughts
The more time you spend in forward thinking the more you’ll find yourself generating new ideas. Sometimes the influx of new ideas can be overwhelming and there is likely no way you could remember everything you conjured up. Make it a practice to journal as you think. What you write down does not have to be well thought out or even perfect sentences. The point is to reduce the risk of losing some invaluable ideas you will generate as you practice forward thinking.
3. Immerse Yourself with Information
Absorbing more information will be a key factor in improving forward thinking skills. High achievers prioritize gaining more knowledge and are always continuously, constantly learning. As keen as you are, you do not know all there is to know about your field. Staying on top of the current trends, and new knowledge within your field will help you be more innovative. Reading things online, buying books, listening to podcast, talking to peers are all excellent ways to gather new information. Everyday you should seek to learn at least one new thing.
To make 2019 one of your best years yet, you must remember a great quote by Bruce Rosenstein the Author of Create Your Future the Peter Drucker Way: Developing and Applying a Forward Focused Mindset, which states, “The future is too important to be left to chance.”
You have greatness within you.
Coach Shara