What is Foresight and Why Should You Care?

Foresight can be defined as the act of looking forward. It’s exploring the future to determine what lies ahead. Now this isn’t an easy task nor is it as simple as projecting current conditions and obvious trends into the future. Effective foresight development involves a careful examination of where things stand today, an assessment of developing conditions, the identification of factors that could create stability or spark change, and the exploration of future possibilities and their implications. This isn’t going to happen by chance, you need a methodology to put it all together.  

“We should all be concerned about the future because we will have to spend the rest of our lives there.” – Charles F. Kettering, American inventor and automotive industry pioneer

So why should this be important to you? Every decision we make has future implications. What we do, or don't do, can have far-reaching effects years down the line. Our actions today place us on a path that may be difficult to alter once committed. Therefore we need to understand the paths before us. If we know what’s coming we can adjust our sails for the journey ahead. If we’re blind to the future we could be blown in whatever direction the wind decides to take us. 

Frederick the Great said, “It is pardonable to be defeated, but never to be surprised.” The future holds opportunities and risks. There will be wins and losses. We’re not going to win every battle, but we can increase our odds by having a better view of what’s coming. We can minimize the surprises and develop strategies that best position us for what lies ahead. Learn more at projectsunstone.com.

Photo: Drew Beamer via Unsplash