What patterns are you spotting today that others will call obvious in five years?
What patterns are you spotting today that others will call obvious in five years? Hindsight is 20/20, but foresight sets you apart In a world that’s evolving faster than ever, recognizing emerging patterns is more than a superpower—it’s a strategic advantage. Today’s quiet anomalies are tomorrow’s industry standards, yet few people have the lens to see them clearly in real time. This article explores how to spot these patterns early and what makes them become “obvious” in retrospect. Whether you work in tech, education, health, or media, the ability to forecast trends is becoming an invaluable skill. Why “Obvious in Retrospect” Is a Pattern in Itself Think about smartphones, remote work, or streaming platforms. All were niche or questioned when they started but are ubiquitous today. The underlying pattern? Ideas that solve a clear problem but challenge the status quo. To identify these, ask: What are people complaining about repeatedly? What workarounds are gaining traction? Where is t...
