Chapter 4: Foresight: Applying Your Mental Vision

True wisdom consists not in seeing what is immediately before our eyes, but in foreseeing what is to come.

—Terence,
Roman dramatist

What Is Foresight?

There are some words in the English language that we frequently use without really considering what they mean—or we have a mistaken notion of their meaning. Foresight is one of those words. We think that it's a kind of intuition, an ability to see things ahead of time, things that others can't see—something that either you have or you don't. That isn't what foresight is at all. Foresight is a skill, one that can be developed and used to your benefit.

There are several definitions of foresight in the dictionary, but this is the one I like best: thoughtful regard or provision for the future. That is the key. Foresight is taking a realistic look at the many paths that lay ahead and choosing the one that will best lead you to your goals. It gives you the opportunity to prepare for any roadblocks you may come across. It allows you to select and maintain your focus, rather than stumbling blindly forward. It allows you to make necessary changes and adjustments without losing your sense of direction. It simply makes your road easier to follow.

Give to us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for—because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything.

—Peter Marshall,
U.S. religious leader