potential Archives

What advice might your future self give to your current self? – Using elements of Theory-U to listen to your ‘highest future potential’

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Why take this challenge?

Access your unrealised (perhaps unnoticed) reserves of wisdom and insight

Build confidence in using your mind to take hold of who you will be in the future, and using it now in the present

Take greater control of who you really are and might be

Graphic image reflecting different pathways to take the adventure

You are a person of immense potential. The fact is you are capable of far more than you realise. And I could add in here “… and Jesus loves you!” – which, whilst entirely true, has been included mischievously here simply to extent the cliches.

But just because they are cliches does not make these things untrue. Rather it reflects the degree of difficulty we have in accepting the truth of them. And in doing something about them.

We have heard Eleanor Rooseveldt’s “It is never too late to become the person you might have been”. And we have been touched by Marianne Williamson’s invocation to shine. But deep down inside we feel they are really talking about someone else. Not me. And that unchallenged belief holds so many of us back from the joy of realising our own true potential. The elation and pride of special achievements. And sadly shackles them to a life of declining mediocrity.

Otto Scharmer talks about speaking from our “highest future potential”. That who we might be is available to us right now, in this moment, if only we have the faith to reach out to ourselves. And I believe he is right. I believe we can access that future version of ourselves who manifests all of the qualities that we hold dear. And that we can bring them present into each moment.

Many of the building blocks are already there in the recesses of our minds, we just need to emphasise them and bring them forward.

Presencing the best possible version of ourselves for that moment in time.

It takes some practice, and even more faith, but it can be done.

+ Green track - taking it in your stride

Self-coaching from future-you

Have you ever looked at a picture of yourself as a child, and wondered what you were thinking about what was going on in your life when the photo was taken. About some of the challenges and insecurities that seemed mountainous at the time? And if you could speak back to that person in the photograph what might you say to them?

Well I would like you to imagine a photograph taken right now, and an older and wiser you looking back on it 20 years hence.

The green track this week is to write a letter from that future us, that best possible version of ourselves, to ourselves at this moment. What would they say to us about who we are and the future ahead of us? How would they love, nurture, encourage, and inspire us to move forward on our journey? What might the say to help us move past our fears and insecurities? Our self-doubt, and sense of unworthiness? How might they say the words that give us the confidence to better grasp our own future realities?

Take a while to access that version of yourself, then look back at you now. Focus on yourself with love, understanding, and deep appreciation for your struggles (Incidentally, this IS how God sees you too!) And then let the words flow. Let them pour onto the page.

And when you re-read them as your current self. Let that love and acceptance and encouragement seep back into you. It may include challenges, and that is okay if they are spoken from love. But if anything dismissive has crept in – cross it out. That was not your highest future potential talking. It was simply some of your old insecure self seeping back in.

+ Blue track - a bit of a workout (click to open)

+ Red track - stepping up to bat (click to open)

You may find the following resources helpful in tackling your challenge or in gaining further benefits from the skills and insights you develop

A quote from Tony Robbins: “Its not about achieving the goal. It’s about who you become in the process.” Think about taking greater control of that ‘becoming’ – don’t leave its timing to chance.
meaningful conversation
Otto Scharmer’s paper on Ego to Eco: https://www.ottoscharmer.com/sites/default/files/Ego2Eco_Intro.pdf

To catch up on past adventures you may have missed, feel free to browse our Adventures Library

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Useful links:

Introduction to Leading by Adventure  |  What we mean by spirituality?  |  Why Adventure
Adventures to date   |  I did it, but it didn’t work very well   |  How do I know if it is working
Bringing this thinking into your meetings   |  Adventure & Mental Health
Leading by Adventure community   |  Explore Strategic Support options

#030 – And I said to myself … Accessing your highest future potential