If this soda tastes like mango, call an ambulance
Gravel rolls as the bike stops abruptly.
- I’m not at my 100% today.
He taps on the helmet’s visor twice as his friend’s deep breaths get closer to panting.
- I can get you a spare battery. The drone can reach us in 30 minutes.
- Listen, I need this route to stay in the top tier.
He looks around their stop, admiring the mountains baking in the scorching sun.
- Can you at least switch your fantasy glasses to something less depressing? Why would anyone like to bike in Mordor?
Long, loud, deep breath.
- I find this theme to be extra motivating. Besides, it doesn’t just make you look like an orc - it makes you become an orc.
- Not funny, not helpful.
- Give me one more hour. I can finish it with a low battery.
- You’re pushing yourself too hard. One more hour and then what?
- I will do a soda test.
His neck stiffens in surprise.
- You have soda tests on you? Why didn’t you tell me?
- I prefer to keep my options open.
- It’s just the theme you’re riding talking through you. For god's sake, we’re on a bike ride, not throwing a ring to Mount Doom. Can you do the soda test now?
- I’ll do it, but only if you stop complaining about my theme. Here’s the scratch card.
He methodically scratches the left section of a peeled-off label while the soda can opens with a hissing sound.
- If this soda tastes like mango, call an ambulance. That’s a hell of an instruction. Take a few long sips. What are you getting?
- It tastes like berries.
- You need to be more specific. Strawberries? Wild berries? Blackberries?
- Uh, raspberries?
- Are you sure?
- It’s not mango.
- Ok. Let me see the result.
He scratches off the right section of the label.
- Red, black, or blue, all the berries are okay. You’re dehydrated, but you’re okay.
- I wouldn’t say I like raspberries.
- It’s a health screener, not a preference test. Munch your gel and keep drinking. Let’s rest for a few minutes and repeat the test.
- I wouldn’t say I like biking as well.
- Confession time?
- Not really. As you progress in life, you should actively chase the imposter syndrome. It’s the best indicator that you’re expanding into an unknown territory.
- Fair enough. But road biking in the mountains?
- Look, biking gives me access to networking opportunities I won’t get anywhere else. Staying at the top tier gets me the best intros on the best events. My time is limited, and mountains are worth a lot of points. I have met amazing people and won a ton of business this way. Sorry if I made you feel worried at any time.
- That’s fine. You’re just pushing yourself too hard.
- Nonsense. Getting there isn't just half the fun. It's all the fun. The journey is the entire adventure.
- Only if you finish alive.
- Oh, that was dark. Well, I got my breath back. Can you scratch another test for me?
- Man, patience is not your forte.
- I’m only patient when I’m done.
Hello Practical Futurists,
Welcome back from the future, where soda drinks can perform simple diagnostic tests.
Let's jump into our weekly workout, where we use futures thinking and product sci-fi to boost your strategic imagination and prepare your leadership for the future.
Weekly Self-Reflection Prompts
Let’s begin by making products and services mentioned in the story more relatable by grounding them in your personal life.
You can start with this quote for extra inspiration.
“The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them.”
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Personal life reflection prompts
When was the last time you felt outside of your comfort zone?
Which daily routine would be more enjoyable if you could use fantasy glasses? What theme would you try first?
What 2 things would you like to be able to measure with a simple soda test?
Would access to instant feedback tools help you make better or faster decisions?
What was your last personal emergency that a simple delivery by an emergency drone could have solved?
Great work!
Let’s move on to the context of the industry, organisation, team, service, or product you are working with.
Professional life reflection prompts
In what 3 ways can you leverage hobbies for unique networking opportunities?
Having access to what real-time data would improve your team’s performance consistency?
What aspect of your day would be much more enjoyable if you could work using fantasy glasses?
As a leader, what advice do you offer to support employees in managing stress in high-pressure roles?
What 2 metrics do you measure to keep your team focused and motivated?
What is your key to maintaining a balance between high performance and well-being?
You did amazing!
Feeling in the zone today? Try the recommended follow-up story next:
Thank you for expanding your imagination with us. Leaders with bold ideas move our world forward.
Think bright, and see you soon.
Pawel Halicki
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