self-reflection:
Think about timelines, and the past, present, and future, where do you spend most of your thinking time?
What benefits could there be of spending more time in the other two time frames?
Put this into practice this week and notice what happens.
taking action:
Take a problem or challenge you’re working on.
- Look at the problem from the present. What is your current point of view?
- Fast forward into the future to a time where you are successful. What do you see, hear, and feel? What helped you be so successful?
- Fast backward into the past to your younger self. What hopes and dreams did you have? What was your attitude to life?
- Return to the present. What is your perspective of the problem after journeying along the timeline?
What new insights does this spark?
Bring the group together and take one problem or challenge.
Define where you are in the present.
Then break out into two sub-groups:
- Future group: Fast forward into the future. What are the key trends? How are things different? How might that impact your solution?
- Past group: Look to the past. What can you learn from past failures and success? Who has been innovative in your area? What can you integrate into your solution?
Regroup together and share your insights.
How does this change your perception of the current problem?
What new opportunities to innovate have been revealed?
We couldn’t talk about timelines without mentioning “Back to the Future!”
Watch this short video clip (3.23 mins) from the movie and see how past, present, and future are all blended into one.
What new insights does this spark?