“Don’t worry
about what anybody else is going to do….The best way to predict the future is
to invent it!”, Alan Kay
How much time do you spend thinking about how to disrupt
your industry? What would it take
to stand everything on its head?
All my clients tend to enjoy what they make/sell/do. About
25% of them are thinking about how to change how people buy/use/experience what
they do. These 25% spend more time
dreaming, more time looking around corners and more time focused on improving
every aspect of their company.
These are the business owners who are predicting the future
by inventing it. If you want to be
one of them, here are some specific and simple activities that will increase
your chances for inventing the future you desire:
1.
Vision: The more clarity you have and the better
you are able describe to others what that vision looks, feels and sounds like,
the better
2.
Desire:
If you don’t want it (whatever the “it” is) it is unlikely you will get
it
3.
Commitment: What will it take to achieve your dream goal?
If you are still ready for more, then do these:
4.
Learn to be disciplined (I did not say easy… I
said simple)
5.
Learn to be curious
6.
Learn to be resilient
Alan Kay accomplished a great deal in his professional
life. So can you. Being a Member in an Excell Group is
not a sit back and be filled up classroom. It is tough work.
Cheers to all those who take on this kind of work. What have you found creates your
desired future?
Thank you Dave for sharing this perspective! For building on Alan's quote with thought and validation.
ReplyDeleteI love creating the future. It is a frustrating space to develop.
For the most part. #4 (Discipline) and #6 (Resilience) go hand in hand for me. So often the verbal voice in the community or the silent voice in my head says "Maybe you should just solve a need or problem that exists today and get on with it already?!" "Spend less time dreaming and focus on today's problems."
It is difficult to remain disciplined and resilient amidst a vision that is yet to be realized by the 'right' leadership at the right time.
My Desire and Commitment come from knowing that if we solve today's problems only, we will not be as prepared to address the future with the un-foreseen challenges in leadership and business that lies ahead.
During the past 3 months, I have added 'doing' to the 'creating' of the past 9-12 months. As a 'future creator' it is crucial to leverage your Commitment to maintain balance. One of 'doing' that is informed from a foundation of knowledge and relevance that you gain from 'creating'. Partners, thought leaders and 'ready' customers will validate the balance or the need to shift between the two.