In a world of constant change and uncertainty, many of us find ourselves longing for stability and struggling to keep up with the rapid pace of transformation. Frederik Pferdt's book "What's Next Is Now" offers a refreshing perspective on how to not just survive but thrive in these tumultuous times. This insightful guide provides readers with practical tools and strategies to develop a "future-ready mindstate," enabling them to navigate change with confidence and creativity.
Introduction: Facing the Fire
Pferdt opens his book with a powerful personal anecdote that sets the tone for the entire work. In 2020, the author and his family were forced to evacuate their home in the Santa Cruz Mountains due to the threat of a wildfire. For eleven days, they lived in a camper van, moving from one friend's driveway to another, constantly monitoring news updates as the fire inched closer to their home.
This harrowing experience served as a catalyst for Pferdt to reflect on how we approach change and uncertainty in our lives. Rather than succumbing to fear and despair, he and his family chose to focus on the opportunity for growth and learning that this crisis presented. They recognized that while the fire itself was beyond their control, their attitude and response to it were not.
This pivotal moment illustrates a core principle of the book: our future is not something that simply happens to us, but rather something we actively create through our choices and mindset. Pferdt argues that being prepared for the future isn't just about having a physical "go-bag" ready; it's about cultivating a mental and emotional toolkit that allows us to turn challenges into opportunities.
The Future-Ready Mindstate
At the heart of Pferdt's philosophy is the concept of a "future-ready mindstate." This is not a fixed set of skills or knowledge, but rather a dynamic way of engaging with the world that encompasses several key qualities:
- Openness: Being receptive to new ideas and experiences
- Curiosity: Actively seeking out fresh perspectives and information
- Experimentation: Willingness to try new approaches and learn from failures
- Empathy: Understanding and connecting with others' experiences and viewpoints
- Radical Optimism: Maintaining an unwavering belief in the possibility of positive change
Pferdt emphasizes that these qualities are not static traits but rather dimensions that can be developed and strengthened over time. Like a jazz musician improvising on a theme, individuals with a future-ready mindstate can adapt and respond to changing situations by drawing on these different capacities as needed.
Creativity: Connecting the Dots
One of the most powerful tools for developing a future-ready mindstate is creativity. However, Pferdt is quick to point out that this doesn't mean everyone needs to become an artist or inventor. Instead, he introduces the concept of "connecting the dots" – a process of collecting new inputs from the world around us and combining them in novel ways.
This approach to creativity can be applied to even the most mundane aspects of daily life. For example, Pferdt suggests making small changes to your morning routine:
- Notice five new things on your usual commute
- Take a different route to work
- Try a new coffee shop
These micro-choices may seem insignificant, but they serve to shift your perspective and create space for serendipity and new ideas. Over time, these small acts of creativity can accumulate to produce significant changes in your life and outlook.
Personal Futurism: Small Steps Toward Big Dreams
When we think about the future, it's easy to get caught up in grand visions of technological marvels or sweeping societal changes. However, Pferdt argues that personal futurism is less about making giant leaps and more about taking a series of small, intentional steps.
Consider the example of someone who dreams of writing a novel. Rather than waiting for some hypothetical future when they have unlimited time and resources, Pferdt encourages readers to ask themselves, "What's the smallest possible step I can take right now?" Perhaps it's committing to writing 200 words a day or joining a local writing group.
By breaking down big goals into manageable actions, we set in motion a positive cycle:
- Taking small steps
- Seeing new possibilities
- Expanding our imagination
- Taking bolder action
This iterative approach to personal growth and goal achievement is at the core of Pferdt's philosophy of shaping one's future.
Radical Optimism: The Pursuit of "Better"
A key component of the future-ready mindstate is what Pferdt calls "radical optimism." This isn't a naive belief that everything will always work out perfectly, but rather an unwavering commitment to pursuing "better" in all aspects of life.
Radical optimists understand that perfection is an unattainable goal that can lead to paralysis and disappointment. Instead, they focus on continuous, iterative improvement. This mindset allows them to:
- Transform problems into possibilities
- Maintain resilience in the face of setbacks
- Stay motivated for long-term pursuits
To cultivate radical optimism, Pferdt introduces the technique of reframing. This involves deliberately shifting our perspective on a situation to change our relationship with it. For example, consider living in an area affected by drought and water shortages. One could view this as an insurmountable problem that diminishes quality of life. However, a radical optimist might reframe the situation by asking, "What lifestyle changes could I make that would reduce my environmental impact while enhancing my well-being in other ways?"
This reframing opens up a range of positive actions:
- Biking instead of driving
- Eating more locally grown foods
- Connecting with neighbors around conservation efforts
- Advocating for sustainable policies
By focusing on the possibilities present in challenging situations, reframing allows us to transform problems into opportunities for growth and positive change.
Embracing the Unknown
Radical optimists often find themselves at the forefront of change, eagerly exploring uncharted territory. This ability to lead the way forward stems from a willingness to release attachment to specific outcomes. Instead of rigidly clinging to current ideas or fearing change, they trust that opportunities will emerge as long as they maintain an attitude of openness and curiosity.
This approach progressively transforms our relationship with the future. Rather than viewing the unknown as something to dread or brace against, we can begin to see it as an inviting frontier filled with possibilities to create things better than we can currently imagine.
Unreserved Openness: The Key to Thriving in Uncertainty
Pferdt dedicates a significant portion of the book to exploring the concept of "unreserved openness" – a willingness to embrace life's unpredictability and trust in our ability to learn and grow, no matter what comes our way.
Taking the First Leap
Developing unreserved openness often begins with taking that first, daunting step into the unknown. Pferdt uses the example of shy individuals pushing themselves to attend social events they'd normally avoid. By stepping out of their comfort zones, they not only survive the experience but often discover a newfound confidence that makes future social interactions less intimidating.
This principle applies to many areas of life. Each time we take a leap into unfamiliar territory, we build our capacity for openness and adaptability, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of growth.
Everyday Openness
While big leaps are important, Pferdt emphasizes that openness isn't just about taking major risks. It's also about approaching everyday moments with curiosity and presence. For instance, when faced with a disagreement or frustration, instead of immediately reacting or judging, we can pause and genuinely try to understand the other person's perspective.
By defaulting to questions rather than assumptions, we create space for:
- Empathy
- Collaboration
- Creative problem-solving
This approach to daily interactions can lead to more meaningful relationships and innovative solutions to challenges.
Fostering Openness in Organizations
Pferdt draws on his experience at Google to illustrate how organizations can foster a culture of openness. He highlights several practices:
- Transparency: Regular all-hands meetings where employees can ask tough questions directly to leadership
- Trust: Encouraging risk-taking and learning from failures
- Cross-pollination: Programs like "Lunch Lottery" that pair employees from different departments for meals, breaking down silos
These organizational practices create an environment where openness and innovation can thrive.
The Power of Sharing
On an individual level, Pferdt encourages readers to share their ideas, attention, and human connection more freely. This might mean:
- Sharing a half-formed idea with a colleague instead of waiting until it's perfect
- Giving full, undivided attention to others in conversation
- Actively seeking out diverse perspectives and challenging our own assumptions
By opening ourselves up in these ways, we create opportunities for serendipitous insights and connections that might otherwise pass us by.
Practical Strategies for Cultivating a Future-Ready Mindstate
Throughout the book, Pferdt offers numerous practical strategies for developing the qualities of a future-ready mindstate. Here are some key recommendations:
Practice Micro-Creativity: Make small, intentional changes to your daily routine to expose yourself to new experiences and perspectives.
Set Proximate Goals: Break down big dreams into small, actionable steps you can take immediately.
Reframe Challenges: When faced with a problem, ask yourself how you might view it as an opportunity for growth or positive change.
Embrace Imperfection: Focus on progress and improvement rather than striving for an unattainable ideal of perfection.
Take Calculated Risks: Regularly step out of your comfort zone in small ways to build your capacity for handling uncertainty.
Cultivate Curiosity: Ask more questions, seek out diverse viewpoints, and approach unfamiliar situations with an open mind.
Practice Empathy: Make a conscious effort to understand others' perspectives, especially when they differ from your own.
Share Generously: Don't hoard your ideas or attention – open yourself up to collaboration and genuine connection.
Reflect and Learn: Take time to process your experiences and extract lessons from both successes and failures.
Maintain Radical Optimism: Cultivate an unwavering belief in the possibility of positive change, even in the face of significant challenges.
Conclusion: Shaping Your Future, One Choice at a Time
In "What's Next Is Now," Frederik Pferdt offers a compelling vision for how we can approach an uncertain future with confidence, creativity, and joy. By developing a future-ready mindstate characterized by openness, curiosity, experimentation, empathy, and radical optimism, we can transform our relationship with change from one of fear and resistance to one of excitement and possibility.
The book's central message is that the future is not some distant, abstract concept best left to futurists and their lofty predictions. Instead, it's deeply personal, shaped by the day-to-day decisions we make and the attitudes we cultivate. By taking intentional steps to develop our future-ready mindstate, we increase our agency in crafting a future that aligns with our values and aspirations.
Pferdt reminds us that thriving in times of uncertainty doesn't require superhuman abilities or a crystal ball. Rather, it's about developing a flexible, adaptive approach to life that allows us to see possibilities where others see only problems. It's about embracing the unknown as an opportunity for growth and innovation, rather than something to be feared.
As we face the myriad challenges of our rapidly changing world – from technological disruption to climate change to social upheaval – the skills and mindset Pferdt describes become increasingly valuable. By practicing unreserved openness, cultivating radical optimism, and approaching each day with curiosity and creativity, we can not only navigate change more effectively but also actively contribute to shaping a better future for ourselves and others.
In the end, "What's Next Is Now" is a call to action – an invitation to take charge of our own futures by embracing change, staying adaptable, and never losing sight of the possibilities that lie ahead. It reminds us that while we can't control everything that happens to us, we always have the power to choose how we respond and to keep moving forward with hope and determination.