[Living Bigger] The thing that’s missing in personal development

[Living Bigger] The thing that’s missing in personal development

Each week alternates between Leading Better and Living Bigger insights. This week…

[Living Bigger] The thing that’s missing in personal development

Self-actualisation. Becoming. Personal (and professional) development. Visioning. Aspirational role models. Our authentic selves.

At the seat of these is one thing that is assumed but rarely, deeply considered.

Your future self. The specific characteristics of the person you deeply want to become.

How well do you know that person? Are you actively assembling him/her?

Understandably it feels like a stranger to us, we’re so hyper-focused on the present. [Called present bias].

Something we feel we have little agency over.

The reason we often fall short of our long-term goals, is we’re not this rigorously future-self-centred… and not so intimately connected to ‘this person’.

Getting specific and defining our future self helps guide our decisions, today. (Making decisions on behalf of my future self).

e.g. Will this [choice/action] create or destroy the person I want to become? Nothing is neutral, everything counts.

Will this [choice/action] create or destroy the person I want to become? Nothing is neutral, everything counts.

It starts as Michelangelo did with his ‘The Angel in the Marble’. He carved to set it free.

You can do the same – seeing (feeling into) the future you.

What are those core essentials you definitely want to keep (and enhance)? What are those aspects you want to ‘chip off’ (reduce)?

How can we make our future-self more emotionally close? More vivid?

By writing a letter to and from our future-self. Really step into his/her shoes. See, hear and feel their experience of the world, their interests, their aspirations, and what’s important.  

Plus break down the journey to get there.

Our future self will emerge. It can’t not. The actions and decisions we take today will determine how mean we are to him/her – or not.

What’re your thoughts? Agree? Disagree?


P.S. Reshare if you got value from this

#executivecoaching  #TransformationalLeadership  #LeadershipTraining  #teamdevelopment #LeadershipCoaching

Bruce speaks at conferences, runs leadership workshops, consults and coaches.

Enquire about working with Bruce:

enquiries@ignitebusinessleadership.co, ✆ +64 21 548 900 or learn more here

P.S. Whenever you're ready, below (in Comments) are 3 ways I work with business leaders to upgrade their leadership battery, engage their hidden fifth gear and support them achieve what matters deeply to them

Bonnie Louise

Managing Partner and Head of Marketing & Communications 🔍 Digital Marketing 🖥️ Lead Generation📱 SEO 📈 Meta Advertising 🤖AI

1y

Your newsletter seems like a valuable resource for unpacking this intriguing conundrum. Thanks for sharing Bruce Ross

Kristian Livolsi

Teach 1 million business owners how to grow and scale with confidence, clarity and predictably, without burnout. Want to know how? Complete the Quiz below for your next steps 👇

1y

Interesting perspective on leadership! I look forward to reading your newsletter, Bruce Ross.

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Scott Levoune

🕵️Buyers Agent & Mentor for your Homebuying, Investment property, Airbnb/STR, or SMSF—guiding you to smart property decisions🏠 Message "LETS GO" for a 15 minute consult

1y

It's intriguing to think about how leaders navigate the delicate balance between a forward-looking perspective and being fully present in the moment, Bruce Ross.

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Simone Lord

| Mum x 3 | Police Family | Tactical & Strategic Professional | Health Advocate | Community Ambassador

1y

It's fascinating how leaders need to balance their focus between the future and the present. Awesome share Bruce Ross

Amanda McNeil

Creating & delivering exceptional, seamless event experiences | 20 years' business events experience ⚡ Message me "EVENTS" if you want your event to connect, inspire & have an impact with your audience 💥

1y

Being a leader is like balancing on two canoes, keeping one eye on the future while staying grounded in the present, and it's fascinating to see how this dynamic unfolds in their personal growth and development. Great article, Bruce Ross.

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