Possible Selves

Is NOT an obscure New Wave band from the 80s........

Possible Selves sounds like the band I would have joined as a teenager in the mid-80s. We would be a cross between Missing Persons and the Thompson Twins, heavy on synthesizers and Aqunet. We would be ironic and mistake our teenage angst for sophistication.

What I would have looked like as the bassist and backup vocals for Possible Selves…

I came across the concept of possible selves in a recent WSJ article on the hidden steps we take toward our next careers, especially if they are unrelated to the ones we left behind. This non-linear path meshes with another concept I’ve been exploring, Paul Miller’s idea of the Pathless Path.

The idea of ‘possible selves’ was coined by psychologists Hazel Markus and Paula Nurius. Possible Selves describe

how we envision our futures: what we want to become or could become or even fear becoming. Conjuring these 'possible selves’ can help make them real and lead to meaningful change.

That’s a lot of subconscious influence. Connecting what we imagined we would become or do, or what we would NEVER allow ourselves to become or do? How does each of these ideas, even if not pursued, secretly guide and prepare us? I mean, WTF? I thought I was in control of my destiny……

Getting back to the gist of the article, along with Paul’s concept of small experiments, is that low-pressure forays, such as a weekend hobby or side gig that is done for pleasure versus accomplishment, let the creativity and experimentation flow. Over time, a track record is established, mastery or expertise arises, and a pivot is no longer unlikely but inevitable.

I’ve come to believe that career and life pivots are more like doodles instead of right angles or 180-degree turnarounds. The curvy loop of each seemingly unrelated career identity informs the next one. That hindsight reveals breadcrumbs from our past that lead to our current iteration.

What “possible selves” - the desires, fears, influences, and experiences - led you to your current place? What do you feel deep down, tingling with nervous energy or excitement, is next for you? Share it in the comment section below. Enquiring minds want to know.