Decoding Tomorrow:
Futurism and Foresights Today

Yesterday, I did two keynotes and some MCing for a FTSE 100 client of mine - what is always amazing to me is the amount of 'stuff', that's a technical term, that I learned from the conference delegates.

It's 'crowd wisdom' epitomised.

I had the pleasure of listening to the Managing Director's view of the economy, and he said something that I think is a really strong metaphor for what is going on in the world today. He said that while we must all be cost-conscious and cut the 'fat', if we cut too much we actually become anorexic.
This was a pretty vivid image of sick and hollow organisations without vitality and ability to function independently. Having had friends treated for anorexia around the world, I can empathise with the pain, psychological burden and hardship that goes with this disease for the affected.

When you starve yourself to cut the fat and reach an 'ideal' bodyweight, your perspective at some point or another gets skewed. I am not pretending to be a doctor here - check out 'wikipedia anorexia' if you want more info - but I think it is a powerful metaphor for what is going on in the world today.

In our constant strive to be leaner, fitter, stronger, more agile, and flexible, organisations and individuals cut out all the fats, even the good ones, and run the risk of becoming 'anorexic thinkers'. This is a problem since the essential fats like Omega 3-6-9 and carbohydrates are essential to proper brain functioning.

According to WikiAnswers, 'Too little glucose (found in carbohydrates) can cause the brain to slow down, shrink, and cause a lack of memory. The brain is an organ just like all the organs in the body, so without energy (carbs), it cannot run, and eventually without carbohydrates or any calories in the body, the functioning of the brain will slow so severely that it can cause seizures and strokes.'
Wikipedia adds that 'changes in brain structure and function are early signs often to be associated with anorexia'.

Here are some questions to consider:

a. What are the organisational equivalents (thinking stimulations) to these essential fats for you?
b. Are you considered 'fat' in your organisation? Are you at risk for being cut?
c. If you are considered 'fat', what are you doing to position your indispensability to the organisation?
d. How good are you at positioning your Intellectual Property internally and externally?
e. When did you last learn and apply something that raises your Intellectual Capital?

In Sweden, it is now estimated that unemployment will reach 12% in 2011. I think a large proportion of these will be people who for some reason or another have stopped learning, become apathetic about their personal branding, or haven't been bothered with personal or professional growth. 
Naturally, there are exceptions. But if you make yourself indispensable, if you position the value you add as totally unique, if you display your agility to change with the times, you'll be fine!

Darwin 2.0 is not about survival of the fittest any more, it's about survival of the most adaptable.

We have no idea what will happen in 3 years time, let alone tomorrow. Your constant willingness to upgrade your thinking is the No 1 determinant of your ability to thrive in a constantly changing environment. So, get cracking!

Ask yourself:

a. What is a part-time degree I could enrol in to add value to my thinking?
b. Which conference must I absolutely attend in 2009 not to lag behind?
c. What book can I read that will absolutely give me the courage and ability to navigate the world?
d. What website RSS feeds should I subscribe to to keep up-to-date with world events and empowering perspectives?
e. What are the essential fats in my life that I will not compromise on?