Multiversing plans for a healthier you?
- You look tired? Is everything okay?
He asks, noticing another regular standing motionless before the mirror. The big guy seems frozen, transfixed by the display of his own variants. Concerned, he approaches and gently patts his arm.
- Hey, is everything alright?
The big guy snaps out.
- I’m fine, thanks for asking.
He peels off his drenched black shirt, revealing a sleek neck speaker resting against his skin.
- Oh, I’m sorry. I didn't realise you were tuned into something.
- This?
He taps the device with a grin.
- A man needs his soundscape. Since gyms no longer allow drone speakers, this is the next best thing. Slap it on, and boom! Now I feel like a character in the end credits.
- What training plan are you following these days?
- SPS.
He tilts his head, intrigued.
- SPS? That's a new one. Never heard of it.
The big guy smirks.
- Strength on Mondays, Pain on Wednesdays, and Suffering on Fridays.
He burst out laughing.
- Haha, you got me! That's a good one.
The reflection shimmers as they stand before the mirror and splits into multiple versions of the big guy. The central image shows his current physique, while to the right, he appears progressively more muscular, and to the left, increasingly heavier. Each variant is overlaid with animated guides detailing the steps leading to each outcome.
Another regular walks in with a towel draped over his shoulders. He notices them staring at the mirror and smiles.
- Multiversing plans for a healthier you??
- Just checking progress.
They watch as the mirror loads the big guy's progress metrics. Both nod with approval.
- Three points of progress! Week, month, and quarter are all better than before.
- Man, you're on fire!
The big guy sighs.
- For the last 20 years, I’ve mainly used my body to transport my head from one place to another. Discomfort is inevitable, but I finally have time to recalibrate myself.
- You’ll learn to embrace it. Discomfort means you’re growing. Any growth is painful before you get momentum.
He punches the air enthusiastically.
- Power through to build momentum! The more you have, the easier it is to improve or adjust. You can't change direction if you're not moving.
The old guy adds.
- Sometimes, progress is about avoiding mistakes. Growth isn't just sweat and hard work. It's also knowing what not to do. Be kind to your future self.
- I am. Multiversing after workouts gives me a clear picture of my progress.
- I hate those things.
The big guy blinks, surprised.
- Why?
- Well, not these ones, but the medical ones doctors use. I shiver whenever I see all those potential versions of myself with different outcomes.
- Show, don’t tell works wonders. It's much easier to motivate yourself when you can visualize the results rather than just imagine them. Seeing is believing.
- Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I don’t like it. With limited room for nuance, I feel I don’t have agency over the process. Everything feels predetermined.
- I get that. It’s much harder to ignore doctor's orders when they’re not words and numbers but your future versions. But multiversing is designed to help you. Variation adds resolution, and instead of predicting things, it makes you feel like you can choose a future and work towards it. Seeing yourself as a starting point makes it relatable.
He points at the wall and makes air quotes.
- This is why they put those “mirrors” all over the place. You push harder when your goal feels reachable. This is why those vintage versions of the future are sometimes so funny. They are so singular and declarative.
- Everything is hard to ignore when it looks real.
- Or talks to you in your own voice.
The old guy shivers.
- Multiversing creeps me out. Maybe it’s because I’m not sure how it works, but it feels invasive, like it's manipulating my identity.
- You sound like those people who thought cameras would steal their souls with a picture.
- Do you know how it works?
- Multiversing visualises a sequence of potential outcomes extrapolated from current data.
They both stare at him blankly, so he shrugs.
- Sorry, severe overexplainer syndrome. It’s like supercharged photo editing. Basically, it’s inpainting and photogrammetry on steroids. Inpainting adjusts a small part of a larger whole without disrupting its overall sense of completeness. Photogrammetry creates 3D models from 2D photographs.
He packs his vivid adaptive trainers into the gym bag.
- Pick a goal, the machine sweats, computing and crunching the numbers, and boom! You're presented with hundreds of potential futures to pursue. Choose the one to commit to or adjust variables, and try again. Picking a path makes you more invested in achieving it.
He zips up his cooling hoodie and grabs his bag.
- And now I’m rambling. You have any fun plans for the weekend?
- Nothing special.
- Dinner with my partner's family on Saturday.
- I thought you said you’re doing suffering on Fridays.
He chuckles, pressing the " finish " icon on his locker interface.
- It will be fine. They’re nice and cook great food.
- Lucky you.
He waves and walks away.
- See you on Monday.
- Have a good one.
As he exits, the locker starts blinking, signalling the start of the disinfection cycle. The gentle hum fades as he turns the corner, merging with the ambient sounds of the crowded gym.
Hello Practical Futurists,
Welcome back from the future, where planning is quantitative, and mirrors can show you all the options.
Hit the "Like" button at the top or bottom of this page to inspire others and help them discover the stories you've enjoyed.Good leaders don't just wait for the future.
They help to create it.
Let's dive into our weekly workout, where we use futures thinking and product sci-fi to build a future-proof mindset. To spark your imagination, we'll start with an inspiring quote:
"I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them.”
Isaac Asimov
As always, we start by linking the story to your personal life, making it more relatable and engaging.
Personal life reflection prompts
Would being able to meet and talk to multiple versions of your future self be motivating or unsettling? Why?
In what 3 ways would the ability to visually compare your current self with potential future selves improve your motivation and decision-making?
How do you currently visualise your personal goals?
How might the ability to easily visualise multiple futures impact discussing plans and important decisions with your loved ones?
Which 4 versions of your future self would you be most interested in talking to? What questions would you ask?
Great work!
Now, let's shift our focus to the context of the industry, organization, team, service, or product you're working with.
Professional life reflection prompts
What 2 strategies could you implement to help your team or clients embrace discomfort as a sign of growth and progress?
How could the "Show, don't tell" principle be applied to improve organisational communication?
In what 3 ways would quantitative scenario planning change the decision-making processes in your organisation?
How could technology that visualises multiple futures affect goal-setting and performance evaluation in your organisation? List three potential impacts.
What strategies would you use to balance offering predictive tools and features without making users feel predetermined or manipulated?
Which 2 versions of your future self would you be most interested in discussing your career development with? What questions would you ask?
How might visualizing potential outcomes on a massive scale influence decision-making processes in your organization?
Name 2 leaders or organisations that excel at visualizing outcomes to improve goal alignment.
You did amazing! That’s everything we have for today.
Thank you for expanding your imagination with us. Leaders with bold ideas move our world forward.
Think bright, lead brighter, and see you soon.
Pawel Halicki
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