Navigating Uncertainty: How to Take Action and Shape Your Future Today
As we look forward to the opportunities ahead, it's the perfect moment to reflect and realign with the future we want to create.
In this episode of IDEO U’s Creative Confidence Podcast, we sit down with Frederik Pferdt, Google’s first Chief Innovation Evangelist and author of What’s Next is Now: How to Live Future Ready. We explore strategies for navigating uncertainty, cultivating creativity, and taking small yet impactful actions to shape your future. Here are the highlights from our conversation with Frederik.
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JUMP TO SECTION
How to Take Action for a Better Future
How to Have a Future-Ready Mindstate
3 Future-Ready Dimensions to Help Take Action on Your Goals
Visualizing Your Future Self With Expansive Empathy
Embracing the Unknown With Perpetual Experimentation
Discovering Your Unique Superpower With Dimension X
Building Better Futures Together
Learn how to identify your unique superpowers in our online course online course From Superpowers to Great Teams.
How to Take Action for a Better Future
“The future is not something that happens to you,” Frederik reminds us. “It’s something you make happen.” He challenges us not to rely solely on the traditional focus of predicting the future but instead to shift toward shaping it.
“When we think about the future, we usually think about what we want to have or accomplish,” Frederik says. “But these are things that are hard to control. When we reframe the question and think about how we want to be in the future, our focus shifts to something we can control.”
That sense of control can be empowering, helping us replace anxiety about the future with excitement.
Ask yourself: How do I want to be in the future? This reframing emphasizes values, behaviors, and ways of thinking. Then ask: What can I do today? Because the future starts now.
Frederik underscores the importance of small, intentional actions to build momentum. For example, practicing kindness, asking thoughtful questions, or simply listening more can create a ripple effect, aligning your present with your desired future.
“When we think about the future, we usually think about what we want to have or accomplish. But these are things that are hard to control. When we reframe the question and think about how we want to be in the future, our focus shifts to something we can control.”
Frederik Pferdt—Google’s First Chief Innovation Evangelist
How to Have a Future-Ready Mindstate
For Frederik, the distinction between mindset and mindstate lies in their focus and adaptability. A mindset is a fixed mental framework or belief system that shapes how we interpret the world, often rooted in past experiences and assumptions. In contrast, a mindstate is a dynamic and adaptable way of being, reflecting our present awareness, emotions, and readiness to act in alignment with the future we want to create.
As an example, imagine you’re stuck in traffic.
A mindset might say, “This always happens to me. There’s nothing I can do, so I’ll just sit here and wait.” It’s fixed, focused on frustration, and rooted in the belief that the situation is out of your control.
A mindstate might shift to, “What can I do with this time?” It’s adaptable, focused on creating value in the moment, and aligned with making the most of your present circumstances to shape a better experience.
3 Future-Ready Dimensions to Help Take Action on Your Goals
Out of the six future-ready dimensions Frederik explores in his book What’s Next Is Now, we discussed three of the most important dimensions:
1. Visualizing Your Future Self With Expansive Empathy
While empathy for others is vital, Frederik stresses the transformative power of extending empathy to your future self – a dimension he calls “expansive empathy.”
Drawing on research from UCLA and Stanford, he explains how visualizing your future self can influence present-day decisions. It’s easier for most people to imagine themselves in 5 to 10 years. Imagining yourself in 20 years or more is more difficult. Visualization exercises can paint a clearer picture of your future, allowing you to build more empathy for a different version of yourself. Researchers found that imagining yourself 20 years ahead can prompt healthier habits and smarter financial decisions.
Try this practical exercise: Close your eyes and picture your future self in vivid detail—your surroundings, relationships, and accomplishments. Then ask, What can I do today to bring this vision closer to reality?
Access the visualization exercise shared in this podcast episode and more tools for connecting with your purpose in IDEO U’s Power of Purpose online course.
2. Embracing the Unknown With Perpetual Experimentation
“Perpetual experimentation is about doing small, frequent tests rather than waiting for the perfect plan,” Frederik shares. This dynamic approach helps us navigate uncertainty by breaking the future into manageable steps.
He encourages trying "micro-experiments”—simple, low-stakes trials to explore new ideas. For instance, experiment with a gratitude ritual, like sending a kind message to a friend each morning, or test a new productivity habit for three days.
Each experiment reveals insights that inform your next step, opening doors to innovation. "Experiments aren’t about failing or succeeding but about finding what’s possible."
“Perpetual experimentation is about doing small, frequent tests rather than waiting for the perfect plan.”
Frederik Pferdt—Google’s First Chief Innovation Evangelist
3. Discovering Your Unique Superpower With Dimension X
Frederik’s concept of "Dimension X" invites you to identify and embrace your unique superpower—the intrinsic strength that shapes how you contribute to the world. “Your Dimension X helps you navigate challenges and build a better future,” he says.
To uncover your Dimension X, try reflecting on pivotal moments in your life—how you reacted to them and overcame challenges. Ask friends to share what they see as your unique abilities. This self-awareness can reveal a pattern of strengths. It’s worth revisiting this Dimension X exercise over time. Our superpowers have a tendency to change.
Frederik’s superpower is a bias toward action, which propels him to take the first step, even in uncertainty.
Once you’ve defined your superpower, don’t stop there. How might you use it to create the future you want?
“The future starts now. Every small action you take today moves you closer to the future you want to create.”
Frederik Pferdt—Google’s First Chief Innovation Evangelist
Building Better Futures Together
Frederik offers a powerful reminder: The future is best built together. Connection and collaboration turn individual aspirations into shared realities. By aligning our actions with our aspirations and leveraging our unique strengths, we can create a future that’s intentional and inspiring.
Whether you’re reflecting on how you’ve shown up this year or planning your next steps, Frederik’s strategies offer a hopeful and actionable framework for navigating the unknown. As he aptly put it, “The future starts now. Every small action you take today moves you closer to the future you want to create.”
Are you ready to shape a better future? Take the first step today by identifying your unique superpower, practicing small intentional actions, and embracing the power of experimentation. Dive deeper into these transformative strategies in our online course, From Superpowers to Great Teams.
This summary was synthesized with the assistance of generative AI.
BONUS: Take Frederik's quick self-awareness survey, designed to help you understand where you are today and how you can shape a better future for yourself.
About the Speaker
Dr. Frederik G. Pferdt
Author of What’s Next Is Now and Google’s First and Former Chief Innovation Evangelist
Frederik helped build Google’s culture of innovation and creating the future. He co-founded the Google Garage and pioneered Google’s Creative Skills for Innovation Lab, where he trained tens of thousands of Googlers to experiment with cutting-edge ideas. He also taught classes on innovation and creativity at Stanford University’s d.school for more than 10 years. Organizations like NASA, the United Nations, the German Soccer Association, SXSW, the FBI, Mercedes Benz, Adidas, the NBA, and the International Monetary Fund have sought out his insights on creativity, innovation, and being ready for the future. He is the author of the award-winning book What’s Next Is Now: How to Live Future Ready (Harper Business; 2024).
For more tools and inspiration to shape your future, explore IDEO U’s courses. Courses mentioned in this conversation: From Superpowers to Great Teams and Power of Purpose.
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