Unleash Your Future: A Techie's Guide to Personal Growth

When I set out to make a BIG career shift, I was overwhelmed by this hugely personal project's scale and scope. My identity was wrapped up in the career, job, and professional roles I’d had for more than 25 years.

Seeing myself in new ways was complicated, to say the least. Like many of you, I am a deeply analytical, practical, and fiercely deliberate decision-maker. Shifting away from a successful and secure six-figure CIO role was not in my realm of possibility.

But my drive and passion to lean more intentionally into my unique strengths and purpose were so strong that I couldn’t ignore them. Finding a way to reimagine the life I wanted for myself—freely and without risk through the practice of future journaling— was a life-changing step on my journey to today.

How I Got Here

When I took a hard look at my current situation, I realized my unbalanced approach and hyperfocus on my career had impacted my overall life satisfaction in painful ways. I wasn’t showing up for myself and my family the way I knew I could.

My endless search for another “X” to put on my list of accomplishments wasn’t filling the more important “purpose bucket” in my life.

Instead, what I needed was a way to thrive by aligning my strengths with the impact and legacy I wanted to make: to help others see for themselves what I wish I had known years earlier.

That’s when a wise coach who was helping me navigate this time of transition suggested future journaling. I was skeptical at first, but it worked. Future journaling helped me to see myself in new ways without risk. And the process was energizing, freeing, and deeply satisfying.

In today's fast-paced and demanding tech world, it's essential to take a moment to decompress and focus on your personal growth. That's why I encourage my clients to use future journaling as a powerful and fun strategy.

What is Future Journaling?

Future journaling is a transformational tool that empowers you to envision your ideal future and take meaningful steps toward achieving it. It's like having a personal roadmap that keeps you on track and focused, even amidst the burnout-heavy challenges of the tech industry.

How to Start a Future Journal

Starting a future journal is easy and can be done in a few simple steps:

1. Set Intentions: Begin by setting your intentions for personal growth and fulfillment. What do you want to achieve in your tech career, and how do you envision your ideal future?
2. Visualize Your Success: Close your eyes and visualize yourself in your dream job, thriving in the tech world. Picture the accomplishments, the joy, and the fulfillment.
3. Write It Down: Grab a journal and start writing! Put pen to paper and detail your vision for your future. Be specific, vivid, and don't hold back. It may feel silly at first but just go with it. Try to suspend reality a bit.
   

   (TIP: Find the same quiet place for this and use the same journal and pen every single time.)

4. Set Achievable Goals: Break down your vision into achievable goals and action steps. What can you do today, this week, and this month to move closer toward your aspirations?

Future Journal Prompts and Ideas

To get you started, here are some future journal prompts and ideas to ignite your imagination:

1. The Perfect Day: Describe your ideal workday, from the moment you wake up to the time you go to bed.
2. Growth and Learning: Imagine how you'll continue to grow and learn in your tech career. What skills do you want to develop?
3. Impact and Contribution: Envision the positive impact you'll make on your team, your organization, and the tech community.
4. Work-Life Connection: Picture how you'll maintain a healthy work-life balance and prioritize self-care in your busy tech life.

Ultimately, future journaling is a game-changer for personal growth and fulfillment, especially when you work in a demanding industry like tech. By dedicating time to reflect on your aspirations and setting actionable goals, you’ll discover a newfound sense of purpose and direction.

So, grab your journal, let your imagination run wild, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth. Your future self will thank you for it!

Denise Musselwhite is a tech executive turned leadership coach, speaker, and strategist. After 25 years in the tech industry, she founded Tech & Thrive, a coaching and consulting practice that provides personalized coaching solutions to help women and diverse professionals in tech overcome the hidden barriers holding them back. Learn more about Denise and her coaching at denisemusselwhite.com