Tomorrowmind - Book Summary (2024)
Gabriella Rosen Kellerman, Martin Seligman
Tomorrowmind discusses the PRISM powers: Prospection, Resilience and agility, Innovation and creativity, Social connection by way of rapid rapport, and Mattering. Taken together, they are the components of a Tomorrowmind—the mindset that allows us to anticipate change, plan appropriately, respond to setbacks, and achieve our full potential.
Key Ideas
01
Our brains evolved over hundreds of thousands of years to support the hunter-gatherer lifestyle of our early human ancestors. This required adaptability, creativity, and generalist skills to survive in a world of constantly changing conditions and scarce resources. The Agricultural Revolution brought a dramatic shift as humans began actively modifying nature through farming and herding. This required more future planning, specialization, and anxiety over long-term threats like drought and famine. The Industrial Revolution intensified the mismatch between our brains and our work. Factory labor was repetitive, monotonous, and demanded little of our cognitive capabilities. It led to poor health, social isolation, and psychological disorders like neurasthenia.
Today, we have an opportunity to leverage our uniquely human capacities in new and positive ways. As work changes, we must draw on the generalist, creative, and adaptable legacy of our hunter-gatherer past. With the help of modern behavioral science, we can develop resilience and thrive in the workplace of the future. Our forager brains contain immense potential - we must ensure our work brings out the best in us.
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Final Summary: "Tomorrowmind: Thriving at Work Now and in an Uncertain Future" by Gabriella Rosen Kellerman and Martin Seligman is a enlightening exploration of the psychological skills necessary to prosper in our rapidly changing world of work. The narrative delves into a concept they coin "PRISM", an acronym for five abstract components that arguably create a thriving mindset. These are: Prospection - an ability to look ahead and anticipate change, Resilience and agility - the capacity to bounce back from setbacks, Innovation and creativity - harnessing unique human capabilities, Social Connection (creating a rapid rapport) - the ability to foster relationships and connection with others, and Mattering - the recognition and understanding that each individual's work is meaningful and significant. Each of the authors explains these skills using a blend of personal anecdotes, novel research, and established study. They believe these skills are attainable for everyone and can be developed through dedicated practice. The book aspires to foster behavioral change in individuals and organizations to address the unprecedented challenges of the future of work from an informed, psychologically resilient standpoint.
10 Actions to Implement Learnings:
Practice envisioning an optimistic future (or “prospection”) with the 'Best Possible Self' activity recommended in the book, to cultivate optimism and enhanced physical health.
Actively focus on resilience-building habits and activities, considering the book's assertion that resilience is crucial to 'psychological fitness'.
Read and apply research from other psychologists like Baumeister to better understand how attention to past, present and future thoughts can affect daily experiences and wellbeing.
Nurture your creativity and innovation, as these are unique human gifts that are increasingly important in the workplace.
Work consciously on building rapid rapport to foster social connectivity, which contributes to overall flourishing.
Grasp the concept of 'mattering', understanding that you and your work has significance. This might strengthen your sense of purpose and motivation at work.
Use the insights gained from the book to implement changes at an organizational level, creating an environment conducive to this behavioral adaptation and thriving.
Explore more of the authors' suggested resources and exercises to develop and refine each of the PRISM skills.
Regularly adopt a future-oriented mindset; although it can conjure negative emotions, the unpredictability of the future also stimulates optimism and excitement in our cognitive processes.
Ultimately, remember that positive change, resilience, and prospering in changing times isn’t achieved instantaneously. The authors encourage dedication, practice, commitment, and patience. Implement these teachings gradually and consistently, acknowledging that they may evolve to serve as the individual's 'superpowers' against change and uncertainty over time.
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