Bodymind therapy is based on three essential timelines: the intrapersonal level, which works on the past and is supported by body psychotherapy; the interpersonal level, which is rooted in the present and addressed through communication and relationship coaching; and the transpersonal level, which focuses on future work and is primarily addressed in Life Potential Coaching. People often find it challenging to engage with the transpersonal level and envision a fulfilling, realistic future. This is where targeted and sometimes demanding exercises in Life Potential Coaching come in, aiming to dissolve the blocks that make future visualization difficult. The theoretical foundation for this process draws, among other sources, from prospective psychology—a field that intensely studies the anticipation of future thoughts, emotions, and actions. These scientific insights provide a framework to understand better and systematically tackle the underlying obstacles.
Present Focus and Its Impact on Future Work
Many people find it difficult to visualize their future primarily because of the so-called "presentism"—a strong tendency to unconsciously project current emotions and beliefs onto the future. This tendency is deeply rooted in psychological processes and is based on the influence of our current state on future perception. Gilbert and Wilson (2007) described this as a form of “mental anchoring”: since our present experiences are constantly available, we tend to transfer these onto the future. This leads people to perceive their current emotions and circumstances as unchanging, ignoring future possibilities for development or transformation.
Life Potential Coaching addresses this present focus by employing targeted exercises that allow people to consciously question their current state. The goal is to broaden their imagination for future possibilities and strengthen their perception of change. Research has shown that this process promotes flexibility in thinking and reduces fears of future uncertainties.
Cognitive Distortions and the Image of a Stable Future
Another critical factor affecting future visualization is the End-of-History Illusion. This cognitive distortion, studied by Quoidbach, Gilbert, and Wilson (2013), describes the tendency to acknowledge personal changes in the past while assuming that future developments will be less significant or even unlikely. The researchers emphasize that people often fall into the assumption that they have already reached the peak of their personal growth, leading to a misjudgment of their potential for future growth and development.
This distortion makes it difficult to visualize a dynamic future, as people feel that they are already "finished" or that their current characteristics and circumstances will remain stable. Life Potential Coaching systematically addresses this distorted view by employing techniques that encourage individuals to expand their imagination and view the future as an open process of development. Scientific studies on this approach show that individuals who are more flexible in their personal growth are generally better equipped to handle challenges and pursue long-term goals.
Presence as an Anchor and Overcoming Uncertainty
For many people, focusing on the here and now offers a sense of security and stability. This "anchor" in the present acts as a protective mechanism in an often unpredictable world, providing a valuable resource for dealing with current challenges. However, this orientation towards the present can also lead to a neglect of a changing and potentially challenging future.
Prospective psychology points out that uncertainty is an essential component of human development (Carleton, 2016). Avoiding or overlooking uncertainties in the future can lead to a rigid and inflexible perspective, leaving significant opportunities for growth and change unexplored. Life Potential Coaching works in this context to help people gently confront uncertainty, viewing it as a valuable space for potential and development rather than a source of fear and stress.
This approach is based on empirical findings showing that individuals who embrace uncertainty as part of their development process tend to be more resilient and optimistic about their future. They develop a stronger sense of self-efficacy and trust in their abilities to face future challenges successfully.
Shaping Your Future
Prospective psychology offers a solid foundation for enhancing Bodymind therapy and Life Potential Coaching. Through targeted work on the influences of the present, cognitive distortions, and a conscious approach to uncertainty, individuals can leverage the transpersonal level of Bodymind work as a powerful resource for the future. The scientific insights of prospective psychology are therefore not only theoretical but provide concrete tools to effectively tackle the challenges of future visualization, supporting individuals in building a fulfilling and future-oriented life.
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Sources
Gilbert, D. T., & Wilson, T. D. (2007). Prospection: Experiencing the Future. Science, 317(5843), 1351–1354.
Quoidbach, J., Gilbert, D. T., & Wilson, T. D. (2013). The End of History Illusion. Science, 339(6115), 96–98.
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