Reverse engineer anything you want.

An easily missed mental model is "begin with the end in mind".

Sometimes the best course of action to create what we want is to reverse engineer a path to getting it.

I don't need to tell you how to set goals, I’m tired of hearing about goal setting - you are too.

However, I've recently learnt about Counterfactual Simulation.

A neurological system for creating anything you want.

Interested?

It works like this:

Mental simulation is your brain’s ability to build a mental bridge to go from point A to B.

Crossing the "river gap" of unknowns, threats and opportunities.

By having the end in mind, your brain does what is does best.

Predicting the future, navigating uncertainty, and getting you there safely.

But your ability to do this this is limited.

That’s why you need this 👇🏼

Counterfactual Simulation

A counterfactual simulation is simply running a thought exercise of possibility by asking yourself, "what if?", "what would have to happen?", or, "what would happen if?"

Apply these to achieving your desired result.

This thought exercise begins with the end in mind as already possible.

Here's what to do whilst asking these questions:

• Ask yourself the questions above.

• Let your brain do the thinking and capture what your brain spits out (you can write it down, record it or use otter.ai to capture it.)

• Remind yourself that you can't fail, you won't be rejected, there are no high stakes, and you will be loved no matter the outcome.

• As answers arise, your rational mind will have more questions - record these down and ask them to yourself.

• Keeping going to figure out WHAT you need and WHAT needs to be true.

Here's what not to do whilst asking these questions:

• Critically judging what your brain spits out as answers and cutting yourself off.

EXAMPLE: What would have to happen so I could work 4 days a week and earn the same monthly income?

So there you go. A system for creating anything you want.

How to use this mental model to grow your income, autonomy and career opportunities?

Here are 5 ways:

1. Think big and beyond what your current career or job can give you. Don't pigeonhole yourself.

2. Reverse engineer a list of skills that will get you there by using counterfactual simulation.

3. Then actually forget about the end result and focus on the present moment of "doing the skill" and walking your path.

4. Remember the emotional drivers behind your end result. They will be a great source of motivation.

5. Always remind yourself that the real end result is in the 'doing" and not the end point.

Begin with the end in mind and come back to the present moment because that's where the possibility exists.