Can you prepare for the future?

I had actually imagined the future like this: I fell into the water this morning. I swept the cobwebs and spider's nests off the wall rail. This is the wide „shock absorber“ of the ship that you can walk on - if you can. I lost my balance and fell into the water - still in my pyjamas.

However, I was prepared for this: Last summer I had practised swimming with clothes on, gradually pulling more and more items of clothing over my bikini until I knew: yes, I can also swim with jeans, a T-shirt and a sweatshirt. About my attempt to prepare myself for the future, I have here reported.

So after the first surprise in the water, I realised with relief: I can do this. So I grabbed the broom that had crashed with me and, swimming from below, cleared the wall rail of more spider nests.

What future should we prepare for?

The probable future

Of course, there are things that are relatively likely. For example, if you live on a ship, you might fall into the water. Or that you will miss trains or connecting flights, or that you will be stuck in a traffic jam by car for a long time, or that pumps or lights on the ship will fail.

I think it makes sense to prepare for such probable cases by practising helpful skills, carrying water and storing important contacts in your mobile phone and, if travelling long distances, on paper.

You can also prepare for job interviews and professional development by practising the skills that are helpful here. I think that's sensible and smart.

The improbable and overwhelming future

However, I think it is a great waste of time and energy to ponder events in the future that are highly unlikely. Especially when it involves scenarios that are impossible to cope with: Plane crashes, World War III, etc.

Our brain has the amazing ability to imagine things - and to build neural pathways that help us to act should this actually happen. That's why we daydream a lot, rehearse events („next time it won't happen to me“) or prepare for them.

However, I believe that using this brain power for scenarios that are both unlikely and impossible to deal with anyway is a downright waste of our brain capacity. Whenever I realise it, I try to focus my energy on things that I can influence or that are relatively likely to happen.

The desired future

Of course. I am a woman, who lives her dreams. And I think it makes sense to prepare for the future you want. You can do this by imagining the future you want and then thinking about how you got there.

One of my desired visions for the future is to be a fit 90-year-old who encourages and empowers young men and women. That's why I'm writing this text on the treadmill, for example, and investing in my health and mobility in this and other ways, because I'd like to still be gyrating around on my boat when I'm 90.

Invest in the probable and desired future

So to summarise my advice: invest your mental strength, your time and energy in the future that is probable and desirable. If you catch yourself brooding, then ask yourself

Is this scenario likely to materialise?
If so, how can I prepare well for this?
If not, what can I do instead (e.g. turn my worries into a prayer, think about things I have already dealt with or think about something completely different)?

If you want to get more clarity about what you want for your future, I recommend my impulse booklet Zquestions about the future or equal the whole set with many good questions, can put you on the right track.