“We’re all just memories of your future selves.” — Reggie Watts
Do you have a strategy for your next 6 months or year to achieve and realize your dreams?
You have 3 futures to choose from.
Which future will you choose?
Better yet, which future does your Future Self want you to choose?
3 Futures to Choose From
John Assaraf is a high-performance coach and a bestselling author. When he thinks about the future, he splits it into 3 choices, based on a mental model from his mentor:
- “The first future is one you’ll want to avoid. If you keep doing what you were doing before the recession started, your life will go from bad to worse and you will fall behind financially by 5 years. And your business can go bankrupt.”
- “The second future isn’t great either. If you keep doing the same things but work harder than you ever have before…struggling all the while, your life will stay the same… if you’re lucky and if none of your competitors take action (not likely).”
- “The third future, though, is a good one–so pay attention. If you upgrade your mindset and skill set, adapt your strategy, and focus on finding the massive opportunities in the chaos while others are running for the hills in fear… Not only will you survive this recession, you’ll launch yourself ahead financially by 5 years–at least! And your business can 2X or 3X in growth.”
What I like about this mental model is it challenges you to consider your strategy for creating change in your life:
Will you keep doing what you’ve been doing, do more of what you’ve been doing, or change what you’ve been doing.
It’s also a reminder that you are always creating your Future Self and circumstances with choices you make today.
#1. The First Future (Keep Doing the Same Thing)
Here is the first future.
Assaraf writes:
“The first future is one you’ll want to avoid. If you keep doing what you were doing before the recession started, your life will go from bad to worse and you will fall behind financially by 5 years.
And your business can go bankrupt.”
The concept here is that if you continue with the same actions and habits as you did before a challenging situation (like a recession), your situation will deteriorate over time.
Essentially, if you don’t adapt to changing circumstances, you’ll experience negative consequences.
For example, if you don’t adjust your spending or business strategy during a recession, your financial situation could worsen, potentially leading to bankruptcy in the case of a business.
#2. The Second Future (Work Harder)
Here is the second future.
Assaraf writes:
“The second future isn’t great either. If you keep doing the same things but work harder than you ever have before…
struggling all the while, your life will stay the same…
if you’re lucky and if none of your competitors take action (not likely).”
This idea suggests that simply putting in more effort without changing your approach won’t lead to significant improvements.
Continuing to work hard in the same way might help you maintain your current situation, but it’s not a guarantee, especially if your competitors are adapting and taking action.
In essence, relying solely on increased effort without adapting is unlikely to yield substantial positive changes.
#3. The Third Future (Change Your Approach)
Here is the third future.
Assaraf writes:
“The third future, though, is a good one–so pay attention. I
f you upgrade your mindset and skill set, adapt your strategy, and focus on finding the massive opportunities in the chaos while others are running for the hills in fear…
Not only will you survive this recession, you’ll launch yourself ahead financially by 5 years–at least!
And your business can 2X or 3X in growth.”
This scenario presents a promising outcome if you approach it strategically.
By enhancing your way of thinking and developing new skills, adjusting your strategies, and identifying substantial opportunities amid the uncertainty when others are retreating, you position yourself for success.
Not only will you navigate the recession successfully, but you can also accelerate your financial progress by around 5 years or more.
Additionally, your business has the potential to experience significant growth, possibly doubling or even tripling its size.
Choosing and Changing Your Future (a Few Perspectives)
Henry Ford said, “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.”
Tony Robbins said, that if you want to keep what you’ve got, you have to keep trying for more, because nothing is static, and the world is always moving forward.
Albert Einstein said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”
Tony Robbins said that if you want to keep what you’ve got, you have to keep trying for more, because nothing stays static, and the world is always moving forward.
What Would Dr. Benjamin Hardy, Grant Cardon, and Dan Sullivan Say About 10Xing Your Future?
Let’s look at a few more perspectives to gain some more actionable insight:
Dr. Benjamin Hardy: Dr. Benjamin Hardy would emphasize the importance of shifting your identity and mindset to align with your 10x goals.
He might suggest techniques like journaling to clarify your vision, setting audacious goals that push your boundaries, and creating systems that support consistent growth.
Hardy would advocate for breaking down your big goals into smaller, actionable steps, and implementing routines and habits that cultivate your desired future.
Grant Cardone: Grant Cardone would emphasize the significance of massive action to achieve 10x results. He would recommend setting ambitious targets, followed by relentless effort and persistence.
Cardone might advise focusing on sales and revenue growth, expanding your network, and utilizing multimedia platforms to amplify your message.
He would also encourage taking calculated risks and leveraging existing resources to maximize returns.
Dan Sullivan: Dan Sullivan would advocate for applying his concept of “The Gap and The Gain” to 10x your future.
He’d encourage focusing on your unique abilities and finding opportunities that align with your strengths. Sullivan might suggest setting “game-changing” goals that challenge your status quo and striving for progress rather than perfection.
He’d emphasize the importance of collaboration and surrounding yourself with individuals who support and challenge your growth.
These experts would highlight the necessity of adopting a growth-oriented mindset, taking massive action, and leveraging your strengths to achieve exponential results.
Audacious Goals + Incremental Progress
The most insightful approach to changing your future is to combine the wisdom of setting audacious goals with the power of incremental progress.
Start by defining a bold vision that pushes your limits and excites you. Then, break down that vision into smaller, achievable steps that you can work on consistently. Embrace an agile mindset that values adaptability, learning from failures, and continuous improvement.
Additionally, focus on enhancing your self-awareness and understanding your unique strengths and passions. This self-knowledge will guide you in making choices aligned with your true purpose.
Embrace a growth-oriented mindset, where challenges are seen as opportunities for growth, and setbacks are stepping stones toward your desired future.
Surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors, peers, and resources that encourage your development. Be open to unconventional ideas, innovative approaches, and opportunities that may not be immediately obvious.
Embrace both long-term thinking and the willingness to pivot when necessary and remember that changing your future is a journey that requires patience, persistence, and a commitment to continuous self-improvement.
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