You know how some days you're just feeling it more than others?
I mean in a good way.
Like you can take on that list of things you have to do with gusto, or you have an extra layer of patience for your kids' antics, or work just feels like fun.
Those days come and go.
In this second post on the topic of backcasting, I want to explore how you might take advantage of those days when you're really feeling it.
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In last week's post, I used the example of lifting weights to illustrate a principle about backcasting.
I'd like to continue with that example in this post too.
Suppose that today, I decide that when I workout with my friend next weekend, I want to lift a certain target weight by the last set of our workout.
Let's also suppose that weight is higher than what I lifted previously.
In other words, it's a new high number for me.
If we take a step back from this and look at what's happening in a generalized way, a present version of me is setting a goal for a future version of me to accomplish.
That's how all goal setting works, isn't it?
Time to throw a small wrench in the plan.
What happens if on the day the workout comes, and by the time the last set comes, I'm really feeling it?
Might we then say that a past version of me has somehow set an artificial limit on what a present version of me can actually do on the day?
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I am sure you can poke all kinds of holes in this and make plenty of counter-arguments, but let me stop you right there and offer a simple principle.
When you backcast, leave room at the end.
If you happen to be feeling it that day, leaving room at the end allows you to capitalize on that feeling.
If you aren't feeling it that day, leaving room gives you the choice to end in a place that you're comfortable with and hopefully, proud of.
Leave room.
See what happens.
