It might be early February, but I've only just got round to confirming my theme for this year. And it's - curiosity.
Think of it like this: your future self is not who you are today. And you may not know yet what your future self wants or what your future self is capable of. We tend to think we'll carry on down the same old path; we're seduced by continuity. But when we look back we see huge changes. Over the past two weeks, I've come across a Facebook page: Growing up in the UK in the 50s / 60s. It's got pictures from that era that I remember so well. Wow - what changes I've lived through.
I'm not the person I was 10, 20, 30, or even more years ago. Try thinking about who you were in the past and reflect on the changes you've lived through and how different you are now. Do you believe in the same things? Do you have the same aspirations? Your future self may evolve, but it'll benefit from a hefty nudge. Try these three actions:
Expand your horizons and stay curious Meet different sorts of people and have different sorts of conversations. A listening assessment we use asks people to assess themselves on the following statement: I learn something new from everyone I meet, even if it's ever so slight. A useful mantra to bear in mind. Innovators have long argued that cities are creative and innovative places. Why? They bring together all sorts of different people, doing all sorts of different things. You only have to find them, and they're around the corner and on your bus.
Realise you might disagree with your future self If this is the case, then go out of your way to disagree with yourself now. Think differently; introduce new perspectives. Challenge your assumptions, or ask someone else to do it with you.
Be brave and take risks You don't have to climb Everest. But think about something you've always wanted to do, a skill you've always wanted to develop or a job you've always wanted to do. You may not be able to do any of them now, but why not in the future? What would be a risk you can take, or what action would take courage to move forward. It might get you somewhere - maybe not where you envisaged.
So stay curious and thrive.