— Peter Drucker
Thoughts on Today's Quote
Predicting the future sounds fun until you realize most people who claim to predict the future either look like crazy conspiracy theorists or are magicians pulling rabbits out of hats. But creating the future? That’s different. That’s proactive. It’s like someone handed you the keys to a cosmic DIY project and said, “Go ahead, build whatever you want.” And suddenly, the future doesn’t feel like some far-off, unknowable entity—it’s something you’re shaping every time you make a decision, big or small. Whether it’s choosing between cereal or a smoothie for breakfast or starting a tech company in your garage, every choice bends the universe just a tiny bit.
Think about it like this: in the grand chess game of life, there’s no point sitting back and trying to guess your opponent’s next 10 moves if you’re not even touching your own pieces. The quote is telling you, hey, stop playing defensively, move those knights, start flipping the board if you have to!
And, of course, it sounds empowering because it is. You can’t predict everything (seriously, just try predicting 2020—oh wait, don’t), but you can create your response to the chaos. You can’t predict if your big idea will take off, but you can create the conditions for it to grow. It’s like planting seeds without worrying too much about how tall the tree will get; you just water it, throw in some fertilizer, and keep going.
So, the next time you hear this quote, don’t let it just float by as background noise in the office or some TED Talk you half-watched. Let it be a reminder that waiting for the future to happen is like sitting in neutral on a highway—you’re not going anywhere. Instead, throw it in gear and see where the road takes you. Worst-case scenario, at least you’ll have a better story to tell.
The Challenge
For the next 7 days, I want you to intentionally create a small part of the future you envision for yourself. Whether it’s personal, professional, or something totally out of the box, the key is action. Here’s how it works:
Day 1: Write It Down – Start by writing down one thing you want to accomplish in the future (think big or small, doesn’t matter—launching a business, mastering a skill, writing a book, etc.). Make it something you’re passionate about but haven’t fully committed to yet.
Day 2: Reverse Engineer It – Break down that future vision into smaller, manageable tasks. What would have to happen step-by-step to make that vision a reality? This is where you’re “creating” the future by mapping out the process.
Days 3-5: Take Action – Each day, do something that moves you toward that goal. It could be as simple as researching the first step, reaching out to a mentor, or actually getting hands-on with the project. The idea is to actively shape that future you wrote down.
Day 6: Reflect and Adjust – Think about the steps you’ve taken so far. Are you seeing any new paths forward? Did you learn something that changes your approach? Adjust your plan if needed, because creating the future is a dynamic process.
Day 7: Commit to a Long-Term Habit – The final step is deciding how you’ll keep this momentum going. Commit to one regular habit that will push you closer to your goal, whether it’s daily, weekly, or monthly. This is how you ensure you’re constantly creating that future.
By the end of the week, you’ll not only have made tangible progress, but you’ll also feel more in control of shaping the life you’re aiming for—exactly what the quote is all about!
Today's Quote Illustrated
