Podcast Summary
Envisioning Possibilities for the Future: Futurists help organizations and individuals prepare for various future possibilities by envisioning possibilities and figuring out how to get there from the present.
Being a futurist is not about making predictions, but rather envisioning possibilities for the future and figuring out how to get there from the present. Brian David Johnson, a futurist, works with organizations and individuals to look ahead and map out the steps to achieve desired futures. He emphasizes the importance of actively shaping the future, rather than viewing it as a fixed destination. Misconceptions about futurists include the belief that they make specific predictions about the future, but in reality, they help organizations and individuals prepare for various possibilities and take action towards their desired futures. Johnson encourages individuals to envision their future selves and identify the tools and people needed to get there. He quotes General Dwight D. Eisenhower, "Plans are useless, but planning is everything," emphasizing the importance of the process of planning for the future.
Understanding the malleability of the future: Recognize the power to influence the future and take proactive steps to shape it, rather than being passive observers
The future is not a fixed destination, but rather a malleable concept shaped by individual actions and collective efforts. The misconception that the future is predetermined can hinder people from taking control of their lives and actively shaping their futures. Instead, it's essential to understand that the future is influenced by various factors, including technology, culture, and economics, but it's not set in stone. By recognizing the power we have to influence the future, we can take proactive steps to shape it and create a better future for ourselves and our communities. As a futurist, I encourage individuals and organizations to embrace their agency and actively participate in shaping the future, rather than being passive observers.
Helping Individuals Prepare for Their Future: Brett King empowers individuals to think like futurists by using techniques like future casting and threat casting to envision desirable futures and prepare for potential challenges.
Brett King, a futurist and consultant for large organizations, found personal fulfillment in helping individuals prepare for their future. Starting from informal conversations with individuals, Brett recognized the importance of these discussions and eventually wrote a book to share his insights. His approach focuses on empowering individuals to think like futurists rather than making predictions about their lives. He uses techniques like future casting and threat casting to help people understand potential futures and how to prepare for them. Future casting involves envisioning desirable futures and working towards achieving them, while threat casting helps identify potential challenges and how to mitigate them. Brett's work with governments, militaries, and corporations led him to care deeply about the average person's future, and he transformed his passion into a valuable resource for individuals.
Identifying and working towards a desired future: Future casting involves asking detailed questions to uncover specific goals and creating a roadmap to achieve them
Future casting is a valuable tool for identifying and working towards a desired future. It starts with the question of what you truly want, which can be challenging to answer with specificity. By asking detailed questions and exploring various possibilities, you can uncover the specifics of what you want and use that information to take actionable steps towards achieving it. For example, instead of simply saying "I want to be rich," consider the type of richness you seek, such as having a yacht or a mansion. By drilling down into the details, you gain a clearer understanding of your goals and can create a roadmap to reach them. Future casting encourages you to think seriously about your future while allowing for some fun and creativity in the process.
Exploring Desired and Undesired Futures: Future casting and threat casting help shape our desired futures by focusing on what we want and avoiding unwanted outcomes, respectively. These exercises can reveal valuable insights and guide goal-setting and decision-making.
Both future casting and threat casting are essential tools for shaping our desired futures. Future casting focuses on what we want, while threat casting helps us identify and avoid unwanted outcomes. The conversation around these castings can reveal valuable insights and serve as a foundation for goal-setting and decision-making. It's often easier to identify what we don't want, but by flipping that perspective, we can determine what we truly desire. Remember, most people don't give themselves the time to contemplate their futures, so engaging in these casting exercises can provide a clearer vision and direction for your life.
Embrace uncertainty and prepare for potential threats: Identify goals, acknowledge threats, and remain adaptable to change for personal and business success
Life, whether it's about personal health, family, community, or business, is full of uncertainties and potential threats. Threat casting, as discussed in the book, encourages us to acknowledge these threats and prepare for them, while also allowing room for change and growth. It's essential to identify what we want and what we want to avoid, whether it's in our personal lives or in our businesses. However, it's also important to remember that the future is always in motion and may change, so we must give ourselves the flexibility to pivot and adapt. As the speaker emphasized, "she or he who breaks their vision first wins," because these changes can lead to improvements. So, embrace the uncertainty and be open to the possibility of change.
Imagine your future self to make informed decisions: Visualize your future self's lifestyle to clarify goals and avoid unwanted features in significant purchases
It's essential to visualize and inhabit your future self to make informed decisions about your goals, particularly when it comes to significant purchases like a house. Maddox, a brilliant biologist, learned this lesson when he and BDJ discussed his desire to buy a house for his family. They encouraged him to imagine living in that future, even if he couldn't afford it yet. By doing so, Maddox discovered that he disliked the idea of maintaining a yard, saving him from buying a house with an unwanted feature. To apply this concept, first, determine which aspect of your future self you're focusing on - relationships, career, or material possessions. Then, envision a day in the life of that future self to help guide your decisions. This process not only makes goals clearer but also helps prevent potential disappointments or regrets.
Visualize Your Future Career: Creating a clear vision of your future career involves writing down specifics about your work life, who you'd work with, and desired autonomy. Refine and share your story with your team to make the future feel tangible and identify experts or resources.
Creating a clear and detailed vision of your future career is an essential step towards achieving it. This involves writing down specifics about what your work life would look like, who you would be working with, and the level of autonomy you desire. The process of developing this story helps make the future feel more real and can help identify toxic people in your life. Once you have a clear vision, the next step is to identify your team or support system, and share your story with them. This not only makes the future feel more tangible but also helps in refining the details and identifying experts or resources that can help you get there. Remember, it's important to keep refining your story as you go along, making it a fun and ongoing process.
Define, Engage, and Backcast: The 3 Steps to Building a Desired Future: Define your future self, engage with experts and people, and backcast from your desired future to the present to plan your steps
Building a desired future involves people and connecting with experts. The process of finding your team, seeking advice, and understanding future forces is crucial for personal growth and achieving goals. This is similar to identifying trends and experts for corporations. While the approach can be rigorous, it's essential to keep it rooted in reality and start taking action. An example of a young woman who wanted to be a CPA but pivoted her career after learning about automation illustrates the importance of being informed and adaptable. To summarize, the first step is to define your future self, the second is to engage with people and experts, and the third is back casting - looking back from your desired future to the present and planning the steps to get there.
Backcasting: Creating a Meaningful Future: Envision your desired future, work backwards to identify achievable steps, break down goals into manageable tasks, and hold yourself accountable to make progress towards your goal.
Creating a meaningful future involves setting clear goals, identifying the people and resources that can help you get there, and establishing a system of accountability. This process, known as back casting, starts with envisioning your desired future, then working backwards to identify the steps you need to take to get there. These steps should be specific, achievable, and focused on making progress towards your goal. By breaking down your goal into smaller, manageable tasks, you can make real progress towards your desired future, even when faced with distractions and challenges. Remember, it's not enough to simply imagine your future – you need to take action and hold yourself accountable to make it a reality.
Break down large goals into manageable tasks: Identifying small steps towards goals can make them feel more achievable, increasing a sense of agency and empowerment
Breaking down large goals into manageable tasks can make them feel more achievable. This is especially important when facing overwhelming situations or feeling stuck. The process involves identifying what you truly want, and focusing on small steps to make progress towards that goal. For instance, reaching out to someone for advice or information, or taking a simple action like a Google search. This approach not only helps increase a sense of agency but also empowers individuals to believe in their ability to make positive changes in their lives. The book emphasizes that these steps may not solve all problems, but they can make the future seem bigger and the journey towards achieving goals feel more attainable.
Creating a Meaningful Future: Identify goals, take action, and focus on local resources to shape a better future. Embrace discomfort as a sign of progress.
Creating a meaningful future involves identifying your goals, taking action, and being an active participant in the process. It can be a challenging journey, but it's worth the effort. The future is not a distant place, but rather a local reality that unfolds where we are. This means focusing on the people and resources around us to help transform our future. The pandemic has taught us that the future is more local than we might think, and we have the power to make it a better place by taking action in our own communities. The process of shaping our future may be hard, but it's also an opportunity to make meaningful changes in our lives. So, don't be afraid to put in the work and embrace the discomfort, as it's a sign that you're on the right path towards creating a future that truly matters to you.
Thinking like a futurist for personal and organizational resilience: Embrace community and adaptability, plans will change but the ability to think and adapt like a futurist is crucial for resilience
Embracing the importance of community and adaptability in the face of uncertainty is essential for personal and organizational resilience. Plans may be useless in rapidly changing environments, but the act of planning and thinking about the future is crucial. As Brian David Johnson, author of "The Future You," explained, plans will inevitably change, but the muscle of thinking like a futurist and being open to adaptation allows individuals and organizations to be more resilient when faced with unexpected challenges. Training ourselves to think this way can even provide a strategic advantage in times of global destabilization. To learn more about Brian's work and his book, follow him on Twitter at BDJ Futurist.
Apply the Knowledge Gained: Implement podcast insights, visit website for resources, sign up for Stitcher Premium, leave reviews, and share with others to deepen understanding and application.
Brett McKay reminded listeners to not only listen but also to implement the knowledge gained from the podcast. He encouraged listeners to visit the Art of Manliness website for resources and archives, sign up for Stitcher Premium for ad-free episodes, and leave reviews to help spread the word. By taking these actions, listeners can deepen their understanding and application of the podcast's content. Additionally, Brett invited listeners to share the show with others who may benefit from it. Overall, the A1 Podcast offers valuable insights and practical advice, but it's up to the listener to put it into practice.
