There are many ways to live life. Some people focus on the positive future approach rather than the negative past approach. They then do their best to achieve the desired picture of success.
People who follow this approach aim to channel their effort to shape a positive future. They are not interested into getting into doom loops or blaming other people.
There may be some occasions, however, when they explore their positive history – such as when they managed challenges successfully. They may then build on these principles – plus add other skills – to reach their future goals.
Some people seem addicted to focusing on the negative past. Sometimes they may discover what went wrong. But they still need to translate this into good habits that can help them shape a positive future.
Different people follow the positive future approach in different situations. Whatever route they take, however, they often focus on the following themes.
People Focus On The
Picture Of Success
Some people take this approach in conversations with somebody who keeps talking about their past failures. When appropriate, they may encourage the person to focus on their future picture of success.
Some leaders follow this approach in meetings. Some team members may fall into blaming others for some present problems. The leader will them invite people to focus on the future and the picture of success.
Imagine that a person, team or organisation falls into a negative cycles. One approach is to encourage people to focus on the future and channel their energy in a positive way. Some do this by exploring the following kinds of questions.
The Picture Of Success
What are the real results we want to achieve? What is the picture of success? What will be the benefits of achieving those aims? What will be happening that will show we have achieved the picture of success?
Let’s assume that people have begun to focus on the future and clarified their picture of success. When appropriate, they may then translate this into a visual image that reminds them of the goals.
Different people may do this in different ways. Whatever route they take, however, it can be useful for them to keep focusing on this positive vision. This can sometimes increase the chances of them achieving the picture of success.
People Focus On The Strategies For
Achieving The Picture Of Success
Imagine are clear on their goals. They can then use their creativity to explore the possible ways forward. One approach is to explore to all the possible options together with the pluses and minuses of each option.
People may then, when appropriate, settle on their chosen way forward. They can then clarify the strategies they can follow to increase the chances of achieving success.
Different people go through these steps in different ways. Bearing in mind what they can control in the situation, some people explore the following themes when focusing on the future.
The Picture Of Success
What are the real results we want to achieve? What is the picture of success? What will be the benefits of achieving those goals? What will be happening that will show we have achieved the picture of success?
What are the possible options going forward? What are the pluses and minuses of each option? What is the attractiveness – on a scale 0-10 – of each option.
Looking ahead, are there any other potential creative solutions? Is it possible, for example, to combine elements of the various options? What could that look like?
Let’s study success. What do we know works in this kind of situation? What can we learn from people’s positive history. When have we or other people managed such a situation successfully?
What did they do right then? What were they principles they followed? How could we follow similar principles – plus maybe add other skills – to tackle the present situation successfully?
Let’s return to the real results we want to achieve. Bearing in mind the options we have explored, what is the route – or the combination of routes – we want to follow?
Looking at this route, what are the key strategies we can follow to give ourselves the greatest chance of success? How can we translate these into action?
Let’s assume that people have followed elements of this approach. They may also have produced something like the following pieces.
People Focus On Doing Their Best
To Achieve The Picture Of Success
Imagine that people are clear on the route they want to follow in the future. They make clear contracts about everybody’s responsibilities in working to achieve the goals. They then focus on the following steps.
They follow the strategies most likely to achieve success. They prepare properly, rehearse when they are going to do and move into action. They then aim to get some early successes.
They perform superb work and deliver high professional standards. They also keep reading reality. They build on what is working, tackle areas for improvement and find solutions to challenges
They follow their successful pattern for finishing. They keep doing the basics and add the brilliance. They do their best to reach the goals and, when appropriate, add that touch of class.
Bearing these things in mind, they may produce something like the following.
There are many ways to live life. Some people focus on the positive future approach rather than the negative past approach. They then do their best to achieve the desired picture of success.
People who follow this approach aim to channel their effort to shape a positive future. They are not interested into getting into doom loops or blaming other people.
Let’s return to your own life. Looking ahead, can you think of a situation where you may want to follow elements of this approach? How could you do this in your own way? What may happen as result of taking these steps?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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