As entrepreneurs and leaders, there’s a constant battle happening beneath the surface, one that pits the present version of ourselves against the future version. Today, let’s determine which one is winning within you.

If you’re here, I can safely assume you’re the ambitious type. You’re setting goals, casting visions into the future, and striving to grow, but the truth is, who you are and what you do are different beasts. Often, we possess knowledge without application, leading us to become busy for the sake of being busy, checking things off our lists without direction. We proudly own our busy nature but forget to look up and see where we are actually going.

Today, we’ll focus on two things: who’s winning the battle of how far you can grow, and who’s winning the battle of how you grow—present you or future you. I’ll break this down and help you self-diagnose, so you know exactly where you stand and what to do next.

 The Tale of Two Wolves

Have you ever heard the tale of two wolves? It’s a story my first mentor shared with me when I was struggling with limiting beliefs and hitting walls in my early business days. The story goes like this:

An old Cherokee tells his grandson about a battle within all of us. One wolf represents evil—anger, envy, jealousy, regret, and ego. The other wolf represents good—joy, love, hope, serenity, and faith. When the grandson asks which wolf wins, the old Cherokee replies, “The one you feed.”

This story resonates so deeply because it’s not just enough to be aware of the fight within us; it’s about which side of ourselves we nurture and feed. We must consciously decide which version of ourselves wins: the present or the future you.

Feeding the Present Version of You

When we focus solely on the present version of ourselves, several things happen:

• Lack of Direction: We can’t answer where we’re going or why we’re doing what we’re doing. It’s like being Alice in Wonderland, asking the Cheshire Cat which way to go and not much caring as long as we get somewhere.
• Lack of Vision: Without envisioning the future, we lose clarity and inspiration. It leads to stagnation, complacency, and ultimately, regret.
• Constrained by Current Reality: We make decisions based on our current resources, not allowing ourselves to dream or stretch into who we are called to be.
• No Growth: Operating only as the present version of you limits growth. At best, you maintain your current state.
• Potential Left on the Table: We tap into a minuscule part of our potential, leaving much of it unexplored.

Feeding the Future Version of You

Conversely, focusing only on the future vision without grounding in the present can also be problematic:

• Lack of Reality: There’s a disconnect between dreaming big and acting on those dreams. Lip service without action gets us nowhere.
• No Strategic Efforts: Dreams need to translate into current actions. Without this, the gap between where we are and where we want to be feels insurmountable.
• Ego-Driven: When there’s no evidence of progress, the ego takes over, making us pretend we’ve achieved more than we have.
• Potential Squandered: Just as with focusing only on the present, potential is left untapped when dreams aren’t acted upon.

Harmonizing Present You and Future You

The truth lies somewhere in between. Our present and future selves need to work in harmony. Here’s how to achieve that:

1. Vision Casting with Future You: Let the future version of yourself, the visionary CEO with clarity and goals, drive the vision.
2. Action by Present You: The present self needs to take strategic actions that align with that vision.

Take the case of an entrepreneur I recently spoke with. She felt stuck on the hamster wheel of business, burnout, and frustration, yet put up walls against every solution because her current self couldn’t see past today’s limitations. She wanted growth but wouldn’t embrace the discomfort required to achieve it.

After a simple but crucial question—”Where are you going?”—the realization hit. She was working hard but not moving forward, stuck running on a treadmill. That awareness was the first step to change.

Steps to Integrate Present and Future Selves

So, what can you do to bring your present and future selves together to work in harmony?

• Download the Ideal Schedule Template: I’ve created a customizable template to help you design a schedule that supports both present and future goals.
• Self-Evaluate Regularly: Take time to evaluate where you are and if your actions today align with your future goals.
• Embrace Discomfort: Moving forward requires stepping out of your comfort zone. The new discomfort of growth is more rewarding than the familiar discomfort of stagnation.

As entrepreneurs, we need both the present and future versions of ourselves to win the battle together. The journey may be challenging, but harmonizing these two perspectives unlocks potential, innovation, and true growth.

If this blog resonates with you, share it with someone it might help, and if you have a minute, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback fuels my fire and helps me serve you better.

Remember, the goal isn’t to maintain—it’s to evolve, to tap into all that’s possible, to become the best version of yourself. Let’s start today.