Work In The Moment…But With An Eye On The Past And Future

There’s a lot of advice out there about focusing on the “present” and “living in the now” and “being in the moment.” About how we should leave the past behind because there’s nothing we can do about it. And about how it doesn’t make sense to worry about the future, either.

I’m sorry folks, but this is dangerously simplistic stuff, probably from the same people who brought you such goofy advice as “fail fast and fail often” and its quirky forebears, such as how you can “manage by walking around” and how you can learn all the important things in kindergarten.

Sure, you’ve got work on your plate that must be done right now. And yes, you have to focus on that without being distracted feeling bad about other work you’ve already done, or fretting about other tasks you’re going to do later.

But if you want to do this thing right, you’d better pay attention to the past:

• Have you ever done — or seen or read about anyone doing — anything like this before?
• What were the results?
• What methodologies were used?
• How is this case different?
• What can you learn from these past experiences — yours and others’  — and apply to this situation?

…and the future:

• What results do you want to achieve?
• What do you expect to see and hear in the aftermath that will confirm that you’ve achieved what you set out to do, or at least something of value?
• What other possible alternative results could occur? (And related: Are there any potential unintended negative consequences lurking under the surface?)
• What steps can you take to make it more likely you’ll achieve a positive result?

Then, when it’s done, look at the new reality — your new “present.” Perhaps it’s different from what you intended. Maybe it’s better! What “next action” is called for by your assessment?