Focus On: Futuristic Thinking
I know how easy it is to get caught up in the “now”, but futuristic thinkers are able to look beyond the small stuff in order to see the big picture.
You may be thinking, “I’m definitely a futuristic thinker” , but keep in mind some of these qualities. Futuristic Thinkers have a positive outlook and focus on the future. They are also curious and flexible.
One of the most important things to do is challenge your traditional way of thinking. Don’t just do things because that’s the way they’ve always been done. Stretch yourself! Don’t throw out any ideas, even if they seem far-fetched. You never know which idea will eventually lead to more success. Think broad, think strategic, and think long-term!
Remember that you will never be able to achieve your goals if you can’t visualize them and act towards them. Even more importantly, you won’t be taken seriously as a manager if you aren’t a futuristic thinker. Being able to see the long-term effects of your decisions will help you determine which direction to take.
To Develop Your Futuristic Thinking…
In order to continue developing your Futuristic Thinking… always remember to think big picture! Stay positive, be flexible and innovative. Remember a time when you didn’t think a decision all the way through and it didn’t go exactly as you planned? Ask your self a series of what-if questions when you are making plans or decisions. What will this mean in a month? Six months? A year?
Important Skills for Futuristic Thinking
- Ability to connect the dots and see the big picture
- Observe and analyze the forces driving the current reality that could have long-term effects
- Use facts as well as intuitive perception to draw inferences
- Has/supports progressive ideas
- Imagine/predicts changes in current reality