Forward thinking...

I'm back.  It has only been a few days and I don't think you need or want to hear from me every single day.  This blog is more meant for me, but if you are reading...well, I appreciate it.  I have recently thought about people and their motivation for doing things, creating things, saying things, and generally functioning in the fashion that they do.  I have come to the conclusion that there are two kinds of people in the world: "In The Now" People and "Forward Thinking" People.  People in the now are motivated by instantaneous satisfaction, maintain that they make the best of things, and don't give much vision to the future to come (and more importantly their influence on it).  People who are forward thinkers are usually calculated, purposeful, and have a very specific vision of goals they plan to accomplish (and normally act to insight progress towards the goals they aim to accomplish). 

What type of person are you?  I think I am probably somewhere in the middle, which is where MOST people are.  I am working to train myself to be more of a forward thinker because I feel I can insight a significant amount of success by charting a path, rather than deciding the direction I will go when I stumble on a fork in the road. 

Ways you can train yourself to be a Forward Thinker:

• Create a reasonable "Bucket List" - Make a list of things you know you'd like to accomplish, within reason.  What I mean by that is don't get crazy!  Example: I want to time travel.  You want to make these goals obtainable, based on a specific trail of steps to get there. 
• Create a completely BEYOND "Bucket List" - Make a list of things you know you'd like to accomplish and make it as spectacular as your mind can imagine.  Get crazy!  Example: I want to cure Cancer. 
• Post these two lists where you can see them EVERY DAY! 
• Vision Boards- Create a vision board, which is essentially a visual representation of the lists you've made.  Use photos, magazine clippings, sayings, words, and anything you'd like to accomplish in life.  Chances are your vision board will evolve over time.  Make sure to post this where you can see it every day.  (I personally am making one and am excited to see some of the people I know are also making them).  This is a mental reminder to focus on your vision. 
• Be Grateful- Some people say their prayers, some people remind themselves to mentally be appreciative of what they have a different way (trigger this with an item you pick up every day and carry around with you, once you pick it up your focus is drawn to what you are thankful for).  This will also help you recognize why you are aiming for certain goals by focusing on who and what you are going to "do this for." 
• Small Accomplishment Dates- Set a date with yourself to meet a goal on your list.  People do this all the time by training for marathons, practicing their instrument for the big concert, studying for a big exam, etc.  Having a date in mind helps you follow through and then allows you to see the pay off.  Eventually replace the small dates with larger dates. 
• Meditate- A clean and clear mind can tackle the steps of a day much better than one steeped in regret, emotion, or sidetracks.
• Pay It Forward- Sounds cheesy and hippidy dippidy but helping others achieve their goals is not only good karma...it also allows doors to open for you, assisting you with your own goals. 

You can live for today but concentrate on tomorrow.  Every single choice we make in life should take cognitive recognition.  Meaning you aren't living on impulse.

Live a fulfilling life!