The Future Matrix
Last week's recap: Circles of Possibilities
In Peter Thiel's book Zero to One, Peter introduces the matrix of different people's views of the future.
In Luke Burgis's post on Medium, he talks about how:
When a flood is incoming, it is obvious that the better choice would be to get insurance and turn off your electrical appliances. Humans are naturally definite optimists / pessimists.
In fact, this definite view of the future is ingrained in our brains, it is crucial for our survival and prosperity.
Then, where did the indefinite view come from?
This indefinite view comes from what we call riding. People perceive that the future is too distant and too large for them to have an impact on, so what they do is ride towards that better or worse future.
The problem this creates is that nothing will happen because no one will do anything.
Now zoom in on your life.
Let's say you are an indefinite optimist. You believe you will enter a great company for work, but you don't know how. While your peers are working hard on learning extra skills, do you still think you stand a chance by watching YouTube and Netflix?
To escape this puddle of quicksand that jeopardises your future, first ask yourself:
- What are the top 5 things that you think contribute to the best version of the future you want? (the future does not have to be distant, it can be anything you want to achieve)
- If you can't name more than 3, brainstorm and try to come up with the remaining contributors.
- Picture in your mind how those 5 things will work out, then go ahead and try your best to make those 5 things happen step by step.
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