What’s Your Imago?
I hope you had a blessed Christmas and that in this in-between time before the new year, you can experience a sense of peace, rest, and reflection.
Today’s email is a short one. I want to leave you to consider just one question.
The word “Imago” comes from Latin. It’s a word that describes a future that will be but has not yet come to pass. It’s literally the image of a final form.
That’s why I named our firm Imago Consulting. We help leaders imagine a future that will be, but does not yet exist.
“Imago” evokes the image of a caterpillar that will become a butterfly. It’s the last stage of maturity. A metamorphosis. The final shape.
The Now But Not Yet
This time between Christmas and New Year’s reminds me of the season of Advent that just concluded – it’s a time of anticipation for the coming new year.
The season of Advent is all about reflecting on the now but not yet. In the Christian tradition, people of faith observe a time of expectant waiting and preparation:
“The future has invaded the present in the form of a small baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manager – an unusual place to find the master and creator of the universe. Yet this baby, with fire in his eyes, would change everything.” – Hugh Whelchel
Whether or not you observe Advent, I think we can all relate to a feeling of being “in between” at times in life. We have a vision for what could be, but is not yet. We feel the pain and process of being refined in the here and now, but maintain hope for what will be.
We live in the now, but not yet.
2025 is a future that will be, but has not yet come to pass.
My question for you is… What’s your Imago for 2025?
Do you have a sense of what could be? What can you do now to reflect and dream and plan for 2025? In case you missed it, I shared my 4-step process for designing a fulfilling and fruitful New Year a few weeks ago. It’s not too late to make time to do this.
As you sit in this in-between time for the new year, may you feel an increasing sense of anticipation, clarity, and peace for what will be.
💡 Takeaway: Imago is a word picture of a future that will be, but does not yet exist. What is your Imago for 2025?
Until next year… Surfs Up! 🌊
- Dave
P.S. As I sit back and reflect on this past year of Wave Reports, I’m grateful. For the chance to get to write these each week. To hopefully encourage you and introduce you to perspectives that have the potential to grow you and your organizations.
I came into 2024 with an ambitious goal – to double the readership of The Wave Report – 100% growth. Here as we conclude 2024, the community of people reading these Waves has grown by nearly 2.5X – 142% growth. 😳 So thank you. Keep reading, keep replying, and keep sharing!
About the Author | Dave Raley
Consultant, speaker, and writer Dave Raley is the founder of Imago Consulting, a firm that helps non-profits and businesses create profitable growth through sustainable innovation. He’s the author of a weekly trendspotting report called The Wave Report, and the co-founder of the Purpose & Profit Podcast — a show about the ideas at the intersection of nonprofit causes and for-profit brands. Connect with Dave on LinkedIn.
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