Plans for the future

Techniques > Conversation techniques > Sustaining the conversation > Plans for the future

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Talk about what may happen in the future.

Ask them about:

What they want to do with their career.
Issues they have and what they are going to do about them.
What they are going to do at the weekend.
Where they are going on holiday next.

Talk also about your plans, but be careful not to hog the limelight. Try to listen more than you speak.

Example

I remember you said you really enjoyed skiing last year. Are you going again this year?

I'm really looking forward to this weekend -- we're going walking in the mountains.

Now that you've been promoted, what are you going to do with the department?

Discussion

Talking about the future can be particularly exciting as here you can daydream and hope for great things, no matter what has befallen you in the past.

When you talk about your plans, you also encourage the other person to think about the future. Talking a little bit about your plans also offers easy questions for them to ask to fill in the detail. Of course you can also ask the same questions in return.