I have been a bit obsessed with time travel lately. Not in a tinkering-in-the-basement-with-a-Delorean way, but through movies, shows, and books. This is relevant (sort of) because as a coach, I know that future visioning can be an effective tool for behavior change. It is not just about making a wish list or a vision board, but imagining the best version of yourself and, more importantly, how that life feels, and how that future version of you acts.
When you can vividly imagine your future self, it becomes easier to make decisions today that align with that person. Anything that doesn’t support that version of you gets a "no." I realize I am incredibly privileged to be in a position where I can be selective about my work and my time, but this freedom is something I have been intentionally planning and building toward for a long time.
I FOUND A TIME CAPSULE IN MY BLOG DRAFTS
To prove this theory, I want to share something vulnerable. On February 11, 2017, while working at a corporate job that left me uninspired and I felt out of place, I did a future-visioning exercise. I wrote a vision blog post as if it were five years in the future: February 11, 2022 with an intent to publish it on that future day.
That draft scheduled to publish February 11, 2022 has been sitting in my blog drafts since 2017 (nearly a decade!), never published. Reading it now, I realized that while I aimed for five years, the reality took nearly ten. But as I look back on my life today, I’ve realized the timing wasn't the important part; the destination was.
The details didn’t turn out exactly as I had imagined. My business today focuses more on workplace wellness and personal training than on the freelance writing assignments and bootcamps I imagined then, but the feeling of that day is nearly identical to my life now.
I am sharing the blog post exactly as I wrote it in 2017. It was very hard to restrain myself from making edits, deletions, or try to clarify what I was thinking (as if I could remember anyway). So, no edits, no polishing. This is exactly how I wrote it back then.
The Original Draft: DATED February 11, 2017
(Lea’s Note: I wrote this in 2017)
Today, February 11, 2017 I was listening to the Tim Ferriss podcast while at my boring corporate job and his guest suggested an exercise that I thought sounded interesting, something I haven't done since I was in school. As I start typing this, I am not sure I will ever have the guts to hit publish on this post, but let's write it first before I start silencing and editing myself.
The idea is to write about your ideal life in as much detail as possible in five years from now. If you could literally write your dream life, do anything your heart desires without any risk of failure, what exactly would it look like.
Dream big, she said. Dream without fear or reservations. Write as if whatever you write will in fact come true. Don't edit or limit yourself, but be careful what you wish for, she said, there is magic in dreams. You may be shocked at how much comes true.
While I don't believe in wooo, I have had this experience once before, so this seemed like a fun exercise. Once while working an uninspiring corporate job, I wrote a list on the back page of my work notebook of all the things I wanted. It was full of practical things like pay off credit card, remodel kitchen, build a fence, run a half marathon PR and low and behold by the time I stumbled upon the back page on the notebook nine months later nearly every damn thing on my last page list came true. So here goes...
The Vision: February 11, 2022
(Lea’s Note: I wrote this in 2017, imagining my life five years later. Sorry it’s long, but no editing. lol)
I remember all those years feeling trapped working corporate jobs. I felt like I couldn't leave the stability of a regular paycheck while simultaneously feeling stifled and frustrated. I had guilt. I was supposed to be thankful for this good job, but I was bored and uninspired. In all those different jobs at different companies with different people I never quite fit in. The people around me never shared my values or vision. Every job had the same people in different bodies: the complainers, the gossipers, the snobs and the lazy. It was an epidemic. They were everywhere. I didn't fit in because I didn't want to fit in. Sure I could make nice with my coworkers when I needed to, but these were not my people, not my tribe. (A few exceptions to this rule of course: Besides a few other shining stars, my very best friend is from one of my corporate jobs, so if I had to have all those terrible experiences just to meet her. It was worth it.)
I had an angel and a devil on each of my shoulders like in the cartoons. The devil was telling me that I should be thankful for this corporate job that provides so much stability to my family, I should stay put, close my mouth, put my head down and be grateful. How dare I want more?
Then the angel on the other shoulder could see all the possibilities of living a life full of passion. The angel would whisper that I was good enough to do it, that the security of a corporate job was only an illusion. My limiting belief was that I couldn't make more money doing the things I love than I do in corporate. Of course you can, she whispered.
Then one day with the confidence of a few big side jobs, a regular recurring paid writing job, debt paid off and a supportive husband I finally had the courage to do what I had dreamed of doing before I even knew what I wanted to do. I knocked on my boss's door, "Can we talk?" That feeling of nervousness, excitement wrapped up in anxiety is one I will never forget, but I knew I was making the right decision.
As my boss scowled back at me ('how dare I' she reflected that devil on my shoulder) and in that very moment I realized that the negatively and lies were dragging me so far down that I could never rise and shine my light from that position. I am ready to take on the world, for better or for worse. Despite my bad shoulder, I did literal cartwheels out the front door (OK, not literal). This was really happening. I got in my car and drove away from that run down parking lot in the less than desirable neighborhood and would never return. That part of my life was over. Thank God.
I knew it was time to get to work, to do the work that I loved, that inspired me. I used to joke that I wished someone would pay me to run and use Pinterest and by golly that kind of happened. OK, I write about running and use Pinterest to drive traffic to my blog, but this is how I get paid. Dreams really do come true.
I had some freelance writing assignments to work on that were due in the following week. Now that I had all day to work on these things, rather than just a few hours in the nights and weekends, I felt an amazing sense of relief and weight lifted off my shoulders.
Russ and I got up early as always. We were getting up early for a while now so I could work on my own business before my corporate job, but now that I didn't have that job to go to, getting up early was just a remarkable way to start my day, so I could spend more quality time with my husband, get more work done so we had more time to play. I love getting up a 5:30. We took Ollie for a morning walk while it was still dark and the air was crisp. I yawned as I sipped my coffee as we strolled through the neighborhood. We talked about our days and I was overcome with a sense of gratitude that my day wasn't going to be about commutes and cubicles.
We got home from our walk and I sat in front of the computer with my coffee as Russ cracked a few eggs on the frying pan. I could hear them sizzle in the pan from the other room and my stomach growled with anticipation. A few minutes later I sat down in the dining room to enjoy my eggs with my husband before we started our day. I wrote out my 3 pages of Morning Pages, a ritual I had started that had changed everything for me. The clarity, the creatively and the courage poured out from those pages. It was almost unbelievable. I firmly believe the Morning Pages kicked off this whole adventure. I enjoyed my eggs but it was back to work. I had an appointment with a local agency later in the day so I knew I had a lot of writing to get done. I enjoyed working in time blocks, so I glanced at the clock, it was 6:20,with a stomach full of eggs and coffee I committed to two straight hours of writing for my freelance assignments.
The time flew by. I felt accomplished but not quite done, I knew the articles had some work to do, but their structure was built and ideas summarized. I switched over to check on my affiliate income and was happy to see that while it was not where it could be it was steadily growing the last few months. I responded to some emails (my readers are the best and so supportive it really is overwhelming sometimes) and checked my RSVPs for my bootcamp classes on the weekend. They've been selling out and it's been such a fun way to connect with my community. I love having inspired, dedicated clients who are willing to learn and work. They inspire me so much, they really may have changed my life more than I've changed theirs. Who would have thought that the introvert found a way to be impactful by connecting with people.
I needed a break away from the computer, I'm a healthy living advocate, after all, I can't spend all day sitting. I laced up my running shoes and hit the streets. It is amazing how great a run feels in the late morning hours that in my old life were occupied by spreadsheets and headaches. My mind felt clear and open while I ran like the wind through the neighborhood. I get home and do a quick strength workout. I look in the mirror and wonder why I made it so hard on myself for so many years, making everything harder than it had to be. I have a slim muscular body and while I worked hard for it, I never had to obsess or not enjoy my life for it. It's so simple, yet so difficult for people to grasp. It is my life's mission to help people realize that healthy, strong and fit can all fit into your lifestyle...and it's fairly easy. Once you change your mindset, you body follows pretty quickly. Believe, Work, Achieve. Believe work achieve. Believe. Work. Achieve. BWA Be.Wo.Ac. Bewoac. (someday this will make perfect sense. lol) (Lea’s 2026 note: yeah, that still doesn’t make sense, lol)
Back home, I jump in the shower and I'm back to work. I finish up my articles from the morning and do a little brainstorming for some sponsored articles. When I'm finished I do a little personal mind dumping on my blog. My blog feels light and natural and comes to me so easily. It is such a creative outlet and a gift. I never would have imagined that I would be getting 100k unique monthly pageviews on this little blog or that it would be bringing in 4k in recurring revenue. I really found a way to live my passions and the feeling is so amazing.
It's time for a late lunch (oops that I get wrapped up in my work again?) and I make a salad from a fridge and enjoy an orange that squirts me in the eye with it's zest as I attempt to break it apart. I am temporarily blinded by an orange but back to work with a chuckle.
I am working on a new online program. These programs are the cornerstone of my business and I love how i can reach so many people for such a small investment to them. These courses are a lot of work between the writing, the pictures and putting it all together with graphic design and sometimes I feel stressed about them, will they sell? Will people like them? Will people ask for their money back if they don't like them? But as usual, with most things in life, the fears are unfounded. Not everything is a slam dunk, but I've been learning and growing so much it is amazing to see how far I have come in such a short time. The response has been amazing. I am truly lucky to be able to do this for a living.
Russ gets home from work around 3 and I take a break for a few minutes to catch up with him for awhile before I head out for my agency appointment. I quickly spread some color on my lips and wrapped a few strands of my hair around a curling iron for that messy-but-polished look. I am not sure if I will be on camera for this appointment, so it doesn't hurt to be prepared. The agency expressed interest in working with me so I am going to negotiate a long term agreement. These long term partnerships are what keeps me rolling and sane, when I know I know money coming in from expected sources, it eliminates the worry. As a matter of fact, before I quit my job, I thought I would be always worrying about money, but I worry less than ever. It is amazing how things work out when you are pursuing your life's passions. It really was a limiting belief that I had, I told myself I would never be able to make more money in my passions than I did at my corporate job. Oh boy was I wrong. As soon as I let go of that limiting belief, everything changed at once.
The meeting went well and I think if everything goes as planned I will have another blog contract under my belt. This is a great relief and a great opportunity. I get home and Russ is already cooking dinner. "What's for dinner honey?"
"It's taco Tuesday" he responds. The smell of the fish tacos reminds me of our recent beach vacation with the ocean crashing against the shore.
"What was the name of the place on the beach where we had those shrimp tacos?"
"It doesn't matter" he said, "mine are better." hah.
I gobble the fish tacos and proceed to doing my dishes. I think his ARE better. Maybe it is just a coziness of our home, but fish tacos made with love by husband do taste better than anything that can bought at a restaurant. As I load the last dish in the dishwasher and Ollie starts jumping around. He is pretty smart. He hears the final clang of the dishes in the dishwasher and knows that is his signal it is almost time for his second walk of the day.
I lace up my walking shoes while russ gets Ollie in his harness so we can wrap up our day with another walk talking about how it all went.
By the time we get home it is dark and I am ready to relax. I look at my to-do list and while I have a lot of things to accomplish they are mostly all things I am excited about working on. I sit on the couch with russ in front of the TV with the hot steam floating above my tea cup. He has his feet on my lap and I nearly fall asleep right there on the couch. I am tired, but I am satisfied. I had a long day but a great day serving my community, my clients while doing the things that set my soul on fire. I can't image a better day. I pick up my iPhone to set my alarm for 5:30 the next morning. I have a whole lifetime of dreams to accomplish, better get up early and tackle them.
Lea 2022: you're successful, creative, free, happy and satisfied. | Travel. Writing. Running. Blogging. | Columist.
Let's see how this goes. :) I scheduled this post for Feb 11 2022. Will I remember this in five years? Will this all come true like some kind of magic letter? Will I even have a blog in 2022? Stay tuned to find out.
Lea 2017
The Reality of the NINE-Year Journey
Reading this now, I can’t help but notice the contrasts. My 2017 self certainly didn't see a global pandemic coming in 2020 (talk about a plot twist). And while I was quite proud of my 5:30 am morning habit back then, these days I’ve realized that I prefer the wellness that comes with a bit more sleep. Reading about my dog Ollie caught me off guard with a wave of sadness; he passed away in 2022. I miss him every day.
It stands out how much the past me already knew what the current me needed. Even though the timeline didn't match my original five-year expectation, the essence of the life I built is exactly what I dared to write down in 2017.
It took years of work, planning, saving, many "nos," and a commitment to my own values to have the courage to make the leap today.
I want to invite you to try this for yourself. Don't worry about being "practical" or "realistic" right now. Give yourself the gift of twenty minutes and a blank page.
Who are you in five years? (or ten, the timing isn't the important part)
What is truly important in your life?
How do you spend your morning, afternoon, and evening?
How do you feel?
What can you smell, taste, or touch in your reality?
Who are you with?
Write it down as if it has already happened. You might be surprised at what you find when you stop silencing your own dreams.
Something I learned about myself during this process is that if I just try to imagine the future, I have a hard time really visualizing. I come up blank. But if I write about it, I can get the kind of detail needed for effectiveness. It goes to show we have different ways of interacting and learning and we have to find the way that works for us.
I’d love to hear about yours.
Lea
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Lea Genders is a board-certified health coach, personal trainer, and workplace wellness consultant based in Fort Worth, TX. She offers corporate wellness programs for employee health and productivity, as well as in-person and virtual training / coaching for individuals worldwide. Her blog shares expert guidance on strength training, running, and sustainable nutrition @fortworth_trainer
In 2017, while working a corporate job I wrote a blog post dated five years into the future. I described my dream life in vivid detail, right down to the breakfast I'd eat and the way my business would feel. Then, I let it sit in my drafts for nearly a decade.
Reading it now in 2026 is surreal. While the timeline took longer than I imagined, the feeling of my life today is identical to that vision. I am sharing the unedited 2017 draft today as a lesson in the power of knowing your "why" and daring to write it down.