How To Anticipate the Future

by Robert Wilkinson

This is a brief look at something that is important if we’re not to be surprised by life events.

I gave this to you about a year ago. It was a response to a client who was trying to figure out what to do in a crucial area of life. I told her that I believe we must position ourselves for the future we want to be living. What’s happening now is the result of the past, and how we respond to life’s challenges and opportunities now profoundly affects our future.

Life is like an ocean liner –it doesn't change course very easily or quickly. And it’s important to remember that if we’re sailing from New York, a minor adjustment at the beginning of the journey determines whether we land in London or Africa. That’s why we cannot afford to neglect our view of what could be while being distracted by the current results of past actions and inactions.

I once read something to the effect that it's not really "survival of the fittest" as much as "survival of those who learn to think in the future." If we don't see a future, then what usually happens is pretty random, and patterns don't change unless we change them.

The most successful buggy works in 1910 became irrelevant by 1920 unless they adapted their products to meet the demand of the automobile industry. The most successful burlesque halls of 1920 went down the tubes by 1930 unless they adapted to the demands of the movie industry. Once the jet engine was developed in the early 40s, all the airline industries had to adapt or else go out of business.

When we learn to “think in the future,” then we will be alert to changing demands, and can adapt appropriately to outer circumstances. So begin to imagine what could be, and what you need to do to prepare for what is as yet down the road.

By cultivating an attitude of receptivity, and paying attention to both inner and outer signs and signals of the patterns that are leaving and coming, we can learn what we need to in order to anticipate various futures. Then as the outer and inner circumstances begin to come together, we’ll know what to do and when.

Remember – it’s not “Survival of the Fittest.” It’s “Survival of those who learn to think in the future.”

© Copyright 2014 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Micheline]

Yes that makes total sense. Thank you and a belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you

[Nic]

Simple, clear but very practical and useful.
Blessings be to everyone

[Golden Hawk]

Robert once again your wisdom is in divine timing with my experience. i have made up my mind that i am leaving my career of 29 years of care taking for a career in corporate sales - i am not making this shift until my b/f's mother no longer needs my services so in the meantime i am playing and exploring this life thru my imagination and daydreams. i knew intuitively that by playing in my future i would help to create it and this article confirms that wonderfully - thank you!!! happy new year my friend - may all of our dreams be realized in 2015!!!