What's Your Weather Look Like?

And there are those who smiled when faced with their greatest challenges; they knew life would bring storms, and they were prepared.

I don’t know about you, but there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t use my weather app.  In fact, I’ve already used it three times today (Saturday).  This morning I checked the radar to see what time this storm would be through and what the chances of rain were this evening (Looking good for Phillies on the deck).  A second glance let me see that I'll probably need a windbreaker to play golf tomorrow as we’re looking at an afternoon high of 59 degrees and winds of 10-20 mph.  And just a few moments ago I took a look at the week ahead - evening temperatures will drop into the 40’s; time to get the fire pit ready and stockpile some wood.   The weather app is great; it's practical, user-friendly and relatively dependable.  Wouldn’t it be great if we had an app to help us forecast our life?  We do, but it’s not available for download, it's a mental process called “Prospection”, and best of all, it’s free. 

On several occasions I’ve written about the concept of mindfulness; an intentional focus and appreciation for the moment we are living.  When we are mindful, we foster well-being and compassion, and it serves to enhance our relationships.  But it's equally important to think about what lies ahead, to think about the future “weather” we will encounter in our lives.  We do that through prospection, a process that enables us to create a mental representation and evaluation of our possible futures.  Some might think of it as anticipation or foresight, and to a degree it is, but the difference is  found in the use of information and experiences. Prospection lets us forecast our life’s weather, so to speak, by considering what we’ve learned and experienced not only in our own lives, but through the lives of others. It also enables us to consider multiple directions our futures might take.

Think about it, a weather forecast provides you with information.  It is based on what has been learned and experienced by meteorologists.  There are weather patterns that evolve and based on what is known and what has previously happened, a forecast is predicted (note the term,”predicted”, nothing is certain).  And while it periodically provides recommendations for action, (evacuation, take cover, avoid exposure, etc,), the use of the forecast is left with the individual. It is this remarkable ability to simulate our possible futures that makes prospection a valuable tool in creating our life’s weather.

Through the use of prospection, forecasting our lives becomes similar to planning a journey. It permits us to chart a course, set goals, and navigate the rough weather and storms we know life will throw at us.  Forecasting our future provides a sense of purpose and direction. Without it, we are like a rudderless ship in a storm; helpless and subject to the winds and currents. Setting goals and forecasting the life we want helps create direction, giving us a clear sense of purpose. In turn, we become more motivated to take action and make choices that align with our desired outcomes.

Additionally, we know that like the weather, life is filled with uncertainties.  Prospection helps us prepare for the unknown.  While we can't predict every twist of fate, having a plan that is based on what we have learned and experienced helps us to build resilience and adaptability.  It's like carrying an umbrella on a cloudy day—while it may not prevent the rain, it helps us weather the storm.  When we are prospective, when we forecast our lives, we anticipate potential challenges and devise strategies to overcome them before they occur.  This proactive approach empowers us to face uncertainties with confidence.

Finally, prospection enables us to make informed decisions.  Just as a business uses financial forecasts to guide investment and strategic decisions, we can use our life forecasts to help us make choices and decisions that align with our vision, values and aspirations.  Whether it's choosing a new career path, making financial decisions, or nurturing relationships, having a clear vision of our desired future helps us make choices that contribute to our long-term well-being.

Using prospection to forecast our lives will not enable us to predict every detail associated with our future. Rather, it's a proactive and intentional process that empowers us to influence, shape and forge our life’s weather.  As the saying goes, "The best way to predict the future is to create it."  Prospection enables us to become the forecasters of our own lives, predicting a future that reflects our dreams and aspirations. What’s your weather look like over the next few months and year?  Why not improve the forecast?

Embrace Your Weather

Embrace the Challenge