The shower is low on relaxation
- Do you need anything from the store?
- What do you need that can’t wait for the weekend delivery?
- The shower is low on relaxation. I have a difficult day tomorrow, and I really need it.
- Don’t we have more soap for regular people?
He sighs tensely.
- I asked you if you needed anything, not for your advice.
- Then maybe some toothpaste?
- Didn’t you get vaccinated against tooth decay?
- Yes, why?
- If your teeth are already protected, it should be called breathpaste.
- Snarky. I never thought of it this way.
His face relaxes a little with a tiny smile.
- Listen, the careBar is a treat, and I appreciate we got it. Mixing stuff to match my mood allows me to control my day. I simply touch a button, and it’s no longer a shampoo or lotion but stress reduction, calming relaxation, or energetic rush. As a GoalBook writer, you should understand the concept of being intentional like no one else.
- Not really. You’re describing a need for control over your day by being intentional about your choices. Daily GoalBook checklists rely on the goal gradient effect, making us try harder and be more motivated the closer we are to achieving the goal.
- I know, I know.
- DM someone you admire, share a favourite snack or sing under the shower. Multiple studies have demonstrated that your day can be much nicer if you check off multiple things on your daily list before your second coffee. By the way, it’s interesting that your relaxation routine involves turning off the mirror analytics.
- A smart bathroom should understand that I want a relaxing shower, not a medical appointment.
- Says the man who dances on a bathmat every morning to check his body composition and improve balance.
- This is something else.
- Of course it is.
She gets up from the sofa and puts her notes on the table.
- Can I join you? I could also use some off-screen time.
- You want me to be your sounding board, don’t you? What is it this time?
- Boredom detox. I need some fresh air for inspiration. We’re putting together daily ideas for things that can make you happy without excessively using personal devices every time you feel bored.
- And what works?
- Call a loved one. Smile to a stranger. Pick a book older than you. Send a thank-you message. Organise space around you. Did I pass?
- I would skip the smiling strangers, but your topic is accepted.
The front doors close behind them with a soft click.
Hello Practical Futurists,
Welcome back from the future where your bathroom knows you better than you know yourself.
Let's dive into the weekly workout, where we use futures thinking and product sci-fi to improve strategic imagination and prepare our leadership skills for the future.
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Start here to make the most of your time if this is your first edition.
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Weekly Self-Reflection Prompts
Let's start 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 past always seems better when you look back on it than it did at the time. And the present never looks as good as it will in the future.”
Peter Benchley
Personal life reflection prompts
Do paper or digital checklists work better for your personal life?
List 2 things that help you feel in control of your day.
Which 2 careBar modes would be the most used in your household?
What tools could help you be more intentional about your daily choices?
Name three actions you take to create a stress-free home environment and two methods to maintain it.
When you intentionally perform a task, does it enhance your focus or help you experience it throughout the day?
Could a version of GoalBook customised to your loved ones' ages or hobbies give them some screen-free joy?
Fantastic!
Let’s move on to the context of the industry, organisation, team, service, or product you are working with.
Professional life reflection prompts
Which 2 methods would help you recover if the first part of your day was less productive than expected?
Could a GoalBook be a nice gift for your team members in your industry?
List 3 simple daily off-screen tasks that could boost your team’s motivation.
What is the most important metric that gives you confidence in the team's performance, and which metric helps you track the team's morale?
In what 2 ways could more data insights increase customer trust in your industry?
If you were in charge of setting a performance evaluation cadence, what would it be, and how would you convince your colleagues of your idea?
Name 3 colleagues you would gift with a GoalBook.
You did great!
Hungry for more?
Try the recommended follow-up for this story next:
This edition was written in Seoul. On your next visit, make your camera happy at the DDP, a design centre that looks as stunning as a spaceship landing in the middle of a city.
Have a great week, think bright and see you soon.
Pawel Halicki
Join strategic thinkers preparing to lead in the age of AI. Ten minutes a week is all it takes to start.
If you’re already enjoying Practical Futures, will you take 5 seconds to inspire a fellow leader?