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Forward thinking is the process of anticipating the future to improve strategies and decisions. This can be contrasted with a failure of imagination whereby people expect things to stay the same or resistance to change whereby people seek to prevent change as opposed to leading it. The following are common types of forward thinking.
OptimismForward thinking is linked to optimism, particularly the practice of viewing the problems of today as opportunities. For example, if an industry is damaging the environment, there is an opportunity to replace that industry with products and services that serve the same need but cause far less damage. InvestmentInvestment is the dedication of capital and labor today to strategies intended to produce future benefits. For example, a student who invests their time and money into education in order to improve their future earning prospects.
PredictionEfforts to predict the future in order to adapt strategy and decisions. For example, a technology enthusiast who wants to be the first to own a new technology but also wants to choose the technology that everyone else will be using in five years.An individual who shapes the future in some way. For example, an inventor who develops a method of transport that is faster and more efficient than existing methods. Such an inventor is only an agent of change if their idea is actually implemented.
The process of identifying and treating risk. Risks are future losses that have some probability of occurring. For example, a sailor may identify the risk of severe weather and take steps to avoid such weather. They may also invest in equipment and training that reduces the likelihood of a poor outcome in bad weather.
The development of systems to be fundamentally resilient to stress such that they are likely to survive into the future. Resilience is similar to risk management with the difference being that resilience doesn't anticipate specific risks but instead adopts approaches that reduce a broad range of risks. For example, a sailboat that is designed to be extremely strong such that its main components are practically unbreakable.
The practice of planning for resistance and criticism of your ideas in advance to mount a more effective defense. For example, a salesperson who brainstorms the reasons a customer might resist a deal. This allows the salesperson to prepare effective pitches to overcome such objections.|
| Type | | | Definition | The process of anticipating the future to improve strategies and decisions. | | Related Concepts | |
Thinking
This is the complete list of articles we have written about thinking.
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