Few psychological principles are more accepted than the idea of the self-fulfilling prophecy. It is so common and so accepted that many consider the notion mere pop psychology.

Olympic champions do not. Perhaps no one better than champion athletes publicly demonstrate the power of creating an image of the future (visualizing), so that the future image will be more likely to influence the present moment, literally the operation of mind and body in immediate performance.

It is as a result of this simple principle that we can claim that the future creates the present. We know from obvious observation that past decisions and actions created the present world. And we believe that current decisions and actions will create the future world. But this logic stream continues to the illogical, that the future creates the present.

How? Our images of the future?what we expect to happen, what we are afraid might happen, most powerfully what we prefer to happen?all subtly or not so subtly influence our current decisions and actions. Change your image of the future in a way that matters to you, and you will do something different in the present moment. The future creates the present.

It was the President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel who noted this once when speaking to the U.S. Congress. “Consciousness precedes reality, and not the other way around,” he said.

To create a preferred future — you, your company, your community — first the dream.