USING IMAGINATION TO STEER YOUR FUTURE
“stop imagining what you don't want. start imagining what you do.”
The Lesson
We don't do anything until we imagine it first (except reflexes). The four-minute mile was 'impossible' until one person did it, then many could. They couldn't imagine it until they saw it done. Practical application: Stop spending time imagining outcomes you don't want. You might be causing them. At minimum, you're thinking about unpleasantness you can't change. The brain is like a shelf. You can't stop thinking about something, but you can fill the shelf with other things until there's no room. Conversely, imagine what you DO want as clearly as possible. The more clearly you imagine a future, the more likely it seems to manifest (whether through simulation magic or simply because imagination precedes action).
Real-World Example
A founder catastrophizing about running out of runway. That imagination fills their mind, affects their energy, may even cause the outcome they fear. Better: Fill the mental shelf with clear images of the company succeeding. The product launch, the customer calls, the team celebration. You'll still worry sometimes, but crowd it out. Imagination isn't just daydreaming. It's programming your brain for action.
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