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What happens next?
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Posted on Oct 14 2008
[I]The only way to take control of your life, raise your standard of living and move beyond merely surviving is to create your own unique product or service that you offer to increasing numbers of people in exchange for the things of value that you desire. This simple formula applies to countries as well as people. A self-sufficient economy has its own products or services of value to export to the world. Similarly, a self-sufficient individual has something of value toexchange in the global marketplace. That thing of value is based on your natural talent, skill, or interest—in other words, your passion!
Predicting the future for fun and profit, Taoist style[/I] [B]THE CONSTANTS OF CHANGE[/B]
According to Taoist principles: yin and yang not only balance each other, but also complement each other in cycles. This is the third principle of Taoism: Cyclical Growth. The sun is replaced by the moon, then the moon is replaced by the sun. Summer is replaced by winter, then winter is replaced by summer. Light is replaced by dark, then dark is replaced by light. Everywhere in nature, you will see these basic cycles.
In addition, The Tao of Change reveals that nothing stands still. That nothing lasts forever and that for everything there is a proper time. “He who does not strive to hasten good fortune prematurely and he who can accept inevitable decline achieves true contentment. Treading the middle path of balanced progress, he avoids all conflicts by aligning himself with the steady rhythms of the universe and finally becomes one with Tao, or walks with God.”
Beyond intuition and psychic ability there exists a science to predicting the future. If you watch, record and analyze trends, if you take the pulse of the people, if you gather information and have the necessary pieces of the right puzzle, and if you understand the interplay of forces, you can predict what the future holds.
If predicting the future seems purely speculative, it’s because most of us don’t have all the pieces of the right puzzle, or know what forces are at play in any situation, whether Yang or Yin. If you are not aware of who is involved and what their agendas are, then outcomes will seem random.
For instance, the reason history has seemed a random, almost chaotic series of unconnected events is that people are oblivious to the fact that both Yin and Yang forces are at work. There are hidden agendas about which the majority of people are oblivious. Wars don’t just happen by accident. People orchestrate them for fun and profit. There are Yin and Yang forces at work on both sides.
With that said, and in the interest of brevity, I won’t go into the formulas and techniques one would employ to do so, I’ll simply offer the following predictions and what they may hold from an entrepreneurial perspective.
In all cases of significant change, there are some constants. From an entrepreneurial, or simply an investor’s perspective, it is wise to note and to prepare for the following:
– A void will be created;
– A new image will be needed to replace the old;
– A brand identity will need to be created;
– Analysis, documentation, explanation and representation of the transition will be sought; and
– New products will be created to represent the new identity.
It is in these constants, that opportunity exists and can be planned for by the wise entrepreneur. This is a very short list of predictions for the sake of exploration.
[B]THE PREDICTIONS:1. Barack Obama becomes U.S. president[/B]
In 21 days, the United States will decide who its next president will be.
From an entrepreneurial perspective, a Barack victory is rife with opportunity. It’s a manifestation of the quintessential American Dream. Optimism will increase. (At the very least, jokes will abound, and T-shirts will be in demand!) At the same time, fears will increase. Opposition will mount. In addition, a Barack presidency would usher in a new era of media coverage for the United States. Given the downward slide of U.S. reputation abroad, the coverage will be more favorable. What will it all mean?
A Mariana monument would turn the world’s attention to this region of the world. Experts will be in demand—indigenous culture experts, marine life experts. Grants will become available for educational, scientific as well as business ventures. Marine Projects will need consultants. New businesses will be launched. Where will the opportunity exist?
[B]3. The last garment factory on Saipan closes[/B]If you simply follow the trend to its apparent conclusion, you can predict this one. It’s the end of an era. There is now an opportunity to fill the void. A new brand identity will be up for grabs. What will Saipan be known for? What will be the new identity? Articles will need to be written. Industries will vie for the top spot.
[B]4. The auto industry continues its decline[/B]According to experts, every 50 to 60 years, the transportation industry undergoes a dramatic shift. First there were the canals (1800s), then the railroads (1850), then the highway system (1900), then air travel (1950). The question that pundits are pondering in these the beginning years of the expected major trends is: what is the next big thing? Some believe it is aerospace. Some believe it is mass transit—a shift away from the individual reliance of a single automobile. Some believe it is not the movement of people, but the movement of matter.
[B]PREDICTING THE FORCES AT PLAY[/B]Now, with just those four predictions to contemplate, let’s take this a step further. The famous Yin and Yang symbol of Taoism is used to represent the many aspects of change in the universe. The aspect we’ll take a look at today describes the interaction between opposing forces.
[B]Generating:[/B]1) Yang generates Yang
3) Yin generates Yang
2) Yin generates Yin
4) Yang generates Yin
[B]Degenerating:[/B]1) Yang destroys Yang
3) Yin destroys Yang
2) Yin destroys Yin
4) Yang destroys Yin
The generating interaction can be understood in terms of the following example. Rampaging criminals cause people to establish a police force to protect themselves. So Yin (criminals) generates Yang (police force) because the police force would not exist if criminals did not exist. Gradually the police force grows (Yang generates Yang) and soon it becomes burdensome to support. Taxes are raised (Yang generates Yin). Meanwhile, criminal forces also grow to counteract the expanding police (Yin generates Yin). Corruption in the police force results in its participation in crimes (Yang generates Yin).
The degenerating interaction can be understood in terms of the following example. When a police force captures a criminal, a Yang-destroys-Yin interaction is taking place. When the government cuts the force’s funds, a Yang-destroys-Yang interaction is taking place. When its funds are reduced, the force is overcome by criminals, a Yin-destroys-Yang interaction. While criminals kill each other a Yin-destroys-Yin interaction is taking place.
To get a better handle on predicting the future, ask the following questions: Who are the Yin forces at play? Who are the Yang? What is each side likely to do in each prediction scenario above? For example, when Obama is elected president, or when the monument gets approved, what would the “generating” scenarios look like? What would the degenerating scenarios look like? What opportunities would each scenario create?
In the next part in this series, we’ll explore some specifics. If you’d like to participate, send your comments to me at walt@passionprofit.com
Note: For more tips on overcoming your fears, acting on your ideas, changing the game, and creating a passion-centered lifestyle, visit www.passionprofit.com!
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Until next week, remember, success is a journey, not a destination!–Walt
[I]Send article suggestions, entrepreneur nominations and feedback about this article to walt@passionprofit.com. Walt F.J. Goodridge is author of 12 books including Turn Your Passion Into Profit. Walt offers coaching and workshops to help people pursue and profit from their passions. Originally from the island of Jamaica, Walt has grown several successful businesses in the US, and now makes his home here in Saipan. To learn more about the Saipanpreneur Project and Walt’s philosophy and formula visit www.saipanpreneur.com and www.passionprofit.com.[/I]
