The Idea Dude

CONNECTING THE DOTS ONE AT A TIME

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Who is the future me...

The best part of blogging for me, is being in the zone. By that, I mean I'm able to take 3 or more thoughts from different blogs or articles and meld them into a single post. That 'aha' moment when it does feel like serendipity, probably, synchronicity is a better word. It started a few days ago when fellow sobcon blogger, Robert Hruzek challenged us with a writing project entitled, "What I learnt from...". (Robert btw, is a real interesting guy having travelled and worked in many parts of the world). It started me thinking about how we should be committed throughout life to learn and from learning, to change. Not necessary major changes (although I'm sure we all have encountered singularities that have profoundly changed our lives), but even minor adjustments to thinking, attitude and relationships that collectively is significant over a long period of time. The Japanese call it Kaizen, to mean continuous improvement.

My good friend, Liz, the Queen SOB had a great post about being true to yourself. But it was one of her reply comments that sparked the 'aha' moment. She talked about the concept of "future me". Yup, Liz, that's the 2 word thing again! So if you took Robert's idea of constantly asking, "what I have learnt" and applying it to the "future me", you end up with someone who will always be better, different and interesting as time goes by.

So the question to ask ourselves is, "who is the future me?" This is less about what I want to achieve but really more about what kind of human being I want to ideally become.

And what better way to document that journey than through your blog...


Sidenote: A wonderful article from Fast Company popped into my inbox today. It was entitled, Could you change when changed really mattered?. In it, Alan Deutschman talks about his book on the three keys to change. relate, repeat and reframe, very powerful notions as to why people don't change even when their lives depended on it.

8 Comments:

Blogger "ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hey, Vernon!
What a fun, energetic, and inspiring article this one is. I heard and saw myself walking down a sunny street, answering someone who asked, 'How are you?" with "Better today than yesterday, and almost as terrific as I will be tomorrow!"

11:03 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is a great idea...the perfect compliment to the "meme." It is great to think about who we are and who we were...what a great activity to think about who we want to be!

11:14 AM  
Blogger Robert Hruzek said...

Vernon, I think you have a good frame of reference for your "future you". The concept of being a "lifelong learner" may be something of a cliche by now, but it's still valid.

I've always held that the moment I stop being willing to learn something new, that's when it's all over (so to speak).

11:17 AM  
Blogger The Idea Dude said...

April, thanks for joining this conversation. I'm having a great time being inspired by others and building a better me, I have long way to go....

11:22 AM  
Blogger The Idea Dude said...

Bob, you are right of course, about it being a cliche. And it's a pity it is one. I think the way to bust it is to get our friends and colleagues to continually challenge us in the best possible way lest we forget to do it ourselves. Your call to action did just that.

11:24 AM  
Blogger The Idea Dude said...

Liz, the best part of this blog are the comments. Permit me to steal that line from you. It is awesome because it will make both the enquirer and the enquired feel like a million dollars!

11:31 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well, it's a great post. Liz inspired you, you inspired me, and now you've been tagged...
http://aprilgroves.com/makinglifeworkforyou/2007/06/12/the-new-meme-its-the-opi/

2:33 PM  
Blogger The Idea Dude said...

Hi April

Wow, I love the idea of the new 'opi', definitely will have to seriously think (and blog) about my new 'opi'

Thanks for taking this another step further.

Vern

BTW: I'm not sure why the entire link isn't showing, so here it is again...

http://aprilgroves.com/makinglifeworkforyou/2007/06/12/the-new-meme-its-the-opi/

4:04 PM  

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