We rarely get a clean slate.
Most of the companies we work with, or for, have
been around for a while.
Even those that haven’t are founded on assumptions
and principles that quickly get imbedded into our thinking.
How can we look to the future without being overcome
by the present (or the past)?
Isn’t it best to start our planning with the present
state in mind and work forward from there?
I don’t think so.
When we start with our current state, we start at
a disadvantage. Our focus is internal, on
ourselves not on our customers, our industry, or our environment.
We look at what we can add, omit, combine, or
replace.
We don’t always consider what we should be doing. We consider what we can be doing.
Instead, why not start by identifying our desired
outcomes and determining how we might create them if we were starting fresh?
We may become aware of foundational flaws in
our approach or opportunities we’ve never considered.
…and I thought you were 25!
One of the things I LOVE about blogging is that someone almost always takes what you’ve written down an unexpected but fascinating path.
I would love to see a study of retirement intentions. I too have no desire to ever fully retire. I think that the more people start doing what they love and doing it flexibly, the less important it becomes to many to retire. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were a whole bunch of us, Steve, that plan to be employed at some level for the rest of our lives – and consider that option a joy!!!
Thanks for your perspective!
Ann
That’s sage advice, Ann.
As you probably realized when we met, I am not all that far from “retirement” age. Yet the thought doesn’t occur to me except when friends and neighbors start asking the question as if it’s a done deal.
When I talk about the ten-year plan for my consulting practice, they are incredulous. Why?
They think about life’s unspoken rules and view themselves in light of where they are–not where they could be if they chose to stay fully engaged with life.
I have as much energy and enthusiasm now as when I started the practice 30 years ago. The key is to continue to look at the possibilities, latch onto the exciting ones, and keep one’s eyes on the prize.
Hi April! Glad it was helpful.
Karin – It’s so true. It’s important to know the destination and also to first consider all of the possibilities with an open mind.
Hi Ann
This reminds me of what my mentor always says: Know where you want to be in 5 years time, that shows you where you have to be in 3 years time and that tells you what you have to do this year 😉
Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)
This suggestion could not have come at a better time. So often, I think, I get overwhelmed and discouraged about where I am that I lose sight of where I could be.
So glad I read this post on a Monday morning!