Three Questions That Turn Fiction into Reality – ElPropósito4 min de lectura

An idea can feel like science fiction right up until it becomes real

Photo by Samuel-Elias on Unsplash

My mind tends to ruminate, and it has often kept me looping on where my ideas and plans might lead. Living in the future that much has its downsides. Over time I’ve learned to see things realistically while staying positive, though I’ll admit I used to be very idealistic and, at times, negative. One thing hasn’t changed: as soon as an idea takes shape, a voice in my head says, "This is science fiction. It’ll never happen." Then, some time later, the idea comes to life. Here’s the process I follow.

Ideas come from our imagination. They often grow out of our vision of the future and something we want for our own wellbeing, and no one can copy them. No two people picture an idea with the same detail, depth and scope. An idea may already exist in the world, but never with the exact features and personal stamp each of us gives it. That’s why it’s worth acting on our ideas, bringing them to light and letting them give us gratitude, satisfaction, wellbeing and happiness.

What usually stalls the move from fiction to reality is fear: fear of being wrong, of being judged, of not knowing whether we’re making the right call or whether the idea is worth it. Any idea that builds our wellbeing is worth it. Once an idea is born, the questions start. How do I take the first step? How do I find the nerve to begin? My first answer is to look inward. We already have the potential to build our future and the answers to get there. There’s also a powerful tool made up of three questions from the great philosopher Immanuel Kant:

• What can I know? Once the idea shows up, this question is the first step. Given what I want, what’s out there that would get me to the point where I feel I know the subject? The theory may not exist yet, and you may have to invent it. History is full of people who had to build their own theory. I hope that’s not your situation, but if it is, share what you learn with the rest of us and leave a legacy.
• What should I do? This may be the most important step of all. It calls for responsibility, because we own our future and the destination we’ve chosen. It’s on us to act on what we already know about our ideas. Once we have the knowledge, it’s time to move: build a first prototype, run a pilot, make a decision.
• What may I hope for if I do what I should? If we have the idea, know what needs doing and are making decisions to match, the next step is to wait, trust, keep working and have faith that sooner or later the results will come.

That last question deserves a closer look. Today, more than ever, we prize quick results. Everything has to happen in record time, and when we finally get there, the result often feels like it falls short: we could have done more, something was missing, it didn’t fully deliver. I believe part of the reason is the ruminating mind I mentioned at the start. When what we’re after is our own dream and not someone else’s, we feel the result in our heart. It fulfills us, makes us happy and, above all, builds a life of peace and calm that following someone else’s dreams can never give us.

Warm regards and have a great week,

Rodrigo Baccaro

P.S. Here’s what I watched and read this week that I think you’ll find useful:

• Video: Know your brain to live better. These topics fascinate me more every day. I recommend this talk by the great Argentine neuroscientist Facundo Manes.
• One of the best ventures I’ve come across: Chishop. A wonderful idea that went from fiction to reality. They take billboards, most of which would end up in a landfill, and turn them into all kinds of bags, from fashion pieces to grocery totes. It reminded me how much entrepreneurial talent we have in Guatemala. Follow them on Instagram and give them your support.
• The news that shook me: France Telecom, where executives of one of Europe’s largest companies stood trial over the suicides of 19 employees. The suicides began in 2007, and I only learned about them this week. One line stuck with me: another employee described the company’s culture as "management by terror." Even in the age of information and knowledge, false leadership is still everywhere in business, and it’s sad and shameful that people can go to such extremes. It’s terrible news, but we have to start calling these things by their name before they get worse. I believe it’s happening in our part of the world too, and it has to be stopped, whatever it takes.

Author: Rodrigo Baccaro

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