“Look closely at the present you are constructing. It should look like the future you are dreaming.”. Source
This powerful statement from author and activist Alice Walker is more than just an inspiring quote. It is a practical guide for living with intention. Walker reminds us that the future is not a distant place we arrive at by chance. Instead, we actively build it with every choice we make today. Our daily habits, thoughts, and actions are the raw materials for the life we will one day inhabit. Therefore, understanding this connection is the first step toward creating a life that truly aligns with our deepest aspirations.
This idea challenges us to become conscious architects of our own lives. It pushes us to move beyond passive wishing and into active creation. Are the bricks you are laying today forming a foundation for your dreams? Or are they leading you somewhere else entirely? Let’s unpack this profound wisdom and discover how to build a present that mirrors the future you desire.
. Alice Walker – Academy of Achievement
The Art of “Looking Closely”
Walker’s advice begins with a simple but crucial instruction: “Look closely.” This is a call for mindfulness and radical self-awareness. In our fast-paced world, it is easy to live on autopilot. We often repeat routines without questioning their purpose or impact. However, constructing a dream future requires us to wake up to our present reality. We must pause and observe our lives with honesty.
What does your typical day look like? Examine your habits, from the moment you wake up to when you go to sleep. Consider the content you consume, the conversations you have, and the work you produce. Each of these elements is a brushstroke on the canvas of your future. For example, spending an hour scrolling through social media constructs a different future than spending that hour learning a new skill. Looking closely means you stop drifting and start steering. It involves taking a detailed inventory of your present actions. Consequently, you can identify what serves your vision and what detracts from it.
You Are the Architect
The quote’s next key phrase is “the present you are constructing.” The word “constructing” is powerful. It implies deliberate effort and careful assembly. It dismisses the notion that life simply happens to us. Instead, it positions you as the builder, the architect of your own experience. Every decision, no matter how small, is like placing another brick in the structure of your life. This perspective is incredibly empowering.
Furthermore, it assigns you full responsibility for your life’s direction. A single healthy meal is one brick in a foundation of well-being. A difficult conversation is a brick in building stronger relationships. Saving a small amount of money is a brick toward financial freedom. These individual actions may seem insignificant on their own. Yet, over time, they accumulate to create the magnificent or mediocre structures of our lives. Recognizing your role as the constructor is essential. It transforms you from a passenger into the driver of your own destiny.
Aligning Your Present with Your Dream Future
The final piece of Walker’s wisdom ties it all together: your present “should look like the future you are dreaming.” This is the ultimate alignment check. It asks you to hold up your current life against the blueprint of your ideal future. Do they match? If you dream of a future filled with creativity, is your present filled with opportunities to create? If you envision a future of peace and calm, are you cultivating those qualities in your daily life today?
This alignment is where true transformation happens. It requires a clear vision of what you want. Experts suggest that people who can vividly describe or write down their goals are significantly more likely to achieve them. . A vague dream of “being happy” is not enough. You need to define what that happiness looks like in tangible, actionable terms. For instance, what habits, relationships, and achievements does your happy future-self have? Source
. Alice Walker – Biography and Works
Once you have that clarity, you can reverse-engineer your path. You can start making choices in the present that directly support that future vision. This process makes decision-making simpler. When faced with a choice, you can ask a simple question: “Does this build the future I am dreaming of?”. Alice Walker – Academy of American Poets
Practical Steps to Start Building Today
Shifting from a passive observer to an active constructor requires conscious effort. Here are some practical ways to apply Alice Walker’s wisdom to your life, starting right now.
- Define Your Dream Future: Take time to journal or create a vision board. Get specific about what you want in different areas of your life, such as career, relationships, health, and personal growth. Make the vision as clear and compelling as possible. A clear destination makes the journey much easier to navigate.
- Conduct a Present-Day Audit: For one week, track how you spend your time, energy, and money. At the end of the week, review your findings without judgment. Simply observe where your resources are going. Then, compare this audit to your dream future. Identify the gaps and misalignments.
- Build Keystone Habits: A keystone habit is a small change that sparks a chain reaction of other positive habits. For example, starting a 10-minute morning meditation practice might lead to a more focused workday and better sleep. Identify one or two keystone habits that would build a strong foundation for your desired future.
- Practice Mindful Decision-Making: Before making a choice, pause and take a breath. Ask yourself if this action aligns with the person you want to become. This simple pause can prevent you from falling back into old patterns that do not serve your long-term vision. It empowers you to choose your future intentionally, one decision at a time.
Your Future Starts Now
Alice Walker’s quote is not just a poetic sentiment; it is a call to action. It urges us to recognize the immense power held within our present moments. The future is not a far-off fantasy. It is a reality we are actively creating with every choice we make. By looking closely at our present, we can ensure we are constructing a life that reflects our deepest dreams.
So, take a look around. Examine the life you are building today. Is it the one you truly want? If not, remember that you are the architect. You hold the tools to change the blueprint. You can start laying a new foundation, brick by intentional brick, right now. The future you are dreaming of is waiting to be built.