A GUEST POST
Why You Should Be Living for the Future Now
I love it when I get to spend time with my friend Randy Ingermanson who runs AdvancedFictionWriting.com. I always come away from our conversations challenged and changed.
Our recent conversation happened in a hotel lobby in Dallas where he shared about something he learned about goal setting.
“When we make decisions based on fear,” Randy said, “we eventually won’t progress.” He likened it to making a decision to follow Jesus based on fear of hell. The farther away we move from the fear, the less sway the threat holds in our decisions to grow.
The result? We stagnate because we’re farther away from what initially motivated us.
However, if we live in light of what we will gain in heaven by leading a faithful life, that looming goal woos us onward. It compels us to change in light of the future—a far more proactive way to live.
It made me think of my own life, how I’ve made so many business decisions based on fear. Because I was being reactionary, I didn’t grow.
Oswald Chambers wrote, “We mistake panic for inspiration.” But if I make goals based on who I want to become, those goals will entice me forward.
How can we apply this to our own entrepreneurial endeavors? Here are two ways:
- Evaluate those times is your life when you reacted out of fear. What happened? What was your response? How did you fare in the aftermath? Do you regret what you did? What did you learn from your response in the long run? In what ways did you stagnate?
- Envision what you want your professional (and personal) life to look like. Then work your way toward that goal.
For instance, a looking-back goal based on fear would be something like, “I need to do anything I can to make money so I won’t be poor like I was as a child.” The farther away you move from that goal, the less you will grow, because you have nothing pulling you forward.
But if your goal is, “I want to come to the place where I can donate as much money as I can to charity,” you will be moving in forward momentum toward that goal.
So what about you?
Picture your life five years in the future. See yourself as less harried, more intentional, and fully purposeful. You are living in the midst of your dream. What is that dream? Write it down.
Paint the picture of you joyfully pursuing what brings you deep satisfaction. Then place that dream in God’s hands, asking Him to woo you forward.
The past is gone. It cannot hold you. Present worries are poor motivators and eventually will fizzle in their ability to shape you for the long term.
But living your life in light of the future will change your perspective. It will move you from fear-based decision making to a joyfully proactive life where you anticipate the next step with joy.
Question: What decisions do you regret based on fear? What future goal would be powerful enough to move you forward? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
Posted on March 7, 2012
In: Leadership
MICHELE CUSHATT is a communicator and storyteller whose speaking experience includes Women of Faith, Focus on the Family, and Compassion International. As emcee and communication coach, Michele is in her sixth year on staff at 
BARRY HILL, JR. is a storyteller, blogger, speaker, barista, and is in his fifteenth year of full-time ministry to teens and their families. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Rachel, and their six children—“the circus.” You can usually find Barry where fresh coffee and good ideas are brewing. To join in the conversation, drop by his blog, 
JOE LALONDE is a husband, explorer, challenger, and an adrenaline junkie. He has served as a youth leader for E3 Ministries for over 10 years. He is usually found wandering the woods, enjoying the company of his wife, or running the trails. Joe enjoys helping others expand their influence and leadership skills. You can connect with Joe at his 
RACHEL LANCE is originally from Alaska but now lives in a Chicago suburb with her husband and daughter. She works in technology and communications for the 
JIM MARTIN is the minister of Crestview Church of Christ in Waco, Texas, where he has served since 1994. He also leads a mentoring group, primarily composed of younger Christian leaders, and serves as a Mentoring Partner for 
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JASON STAMBAUGH is a husband, father, former fat kid, accidental techie, and founder of 
JEREMY STATTON is an orthopedic surgeon in Louisville, KY. Although he enjoys writing, reading, and running, his first love is his wife and four kids. His family is currently in the process of adopting a son from China. He is also the author of 
JOHN TILLER is an inspirational speaker and writer. He travels with his family to churches, conferences, and other events sharing 
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