Look to the future. Sure, you can learn from the past, but stop making the past your focus. It’s the future that holds promise!

“Instead of looking at the past,

I put myself ahead twenty years

and try to look at what I need to do now

in order to get there then.”

~ Diana Ross

Diana Ross is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. Her career began in 1959 with the Supremes, and she’s been going strong ever since. I’m guessing her view of looking 20 years into the future and doing what it will require has served her well!

Look to the future.

What’s life going to be like in 20 years for you? Nobody has a crystal ball to see the future, but you can look at where you’d like to be…

Where to start this looking into the future?

Just for fun, create three “20-things” lists as you look to the future:

be – 20 qualities you’d like to add/enhance in your character
do – 20 activities you’d like to try or get better at
have – 20 physical things you’d like to own (for a bit, anyhow)

I created three worksheets to do this exercise!

Now – what could you do today to make it possible for you to experience something on this list?

Yes, I’ve done this to inspire me about my future. I’ve made lists with 30 things on them – because I find that if I keep on going and force myself to keep adding to the lists, after the first obvious items, then I get deeper into what I really value.

One of the items on my “do” list is to experience a River Cruise with Rob. That’s not in the budget right now, but if I save my pennies in the next 20 years… I’ve told Rob that I’m going to get a large jar and put a photo of a cruise boat on a river on that jar, and we can add a dollar or two to give us a start. Another item on the “be” list is to be a better writer. I’m struggling with passive voice in my writing, so the next year will hold some grammar courses!