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The Quantum Self
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The Quantum Self

You are a multiverse within yourself

The Quantum Self: Embracing Your Inner Multiverse

Imagine waking up one day to find out you are a multiverse.

Yes, you read that right. Inside you lies a cosmos of potential selves, just waiting to burst forth like popcorn in a microwave.

Now, before you start panicking about fitting multiple selves into your wardrobe, let me explain how this all works.

The Quantum Leap of Self-Discovery

In my book, FutureU: Forging a Path to Your Most Heroic Self, I encapsulate the concept of "who you are" in the second chapter, Unseen Paths, with the term "The Quantum Self."


My thoughts here are a behind-the-scenes look at some of my ideas expressed in the book. Consider this a benefit of subscribing to my writings here.

I use the idea of “Quantum” as a metaphor for what I believe is the greatest mystery in the universe, that is, you. Ok, not you, you. But the reality of “you-ness” in us all, our self-aware consciousness.

One quick disclaimer: I’m not a physicist. Surprise. So, I’m not offering this information as if I were a whiz at this science stuff. I’m more of a Quantum Life Coach helping you collapse your infinite potential into your best reality. Or maybe, a Reality Hacker reprogramming your mental software with quantum updates.

You get it.

This is not about science, which I love. It’s about opening up a wormhole of new possibilities for you, which I love even more. So here we go. Let’s talk about three expressions of your quantum self— The Quantum Leap, Superposition, and Quantum Entanglement.

The Quantum Dimensions of You

First, Quantum Leap: Some of you will remember the television show, Quantum Leap. In it, Dr. Sam Beckett makes leaps through time and, as he does, he corrects historical mistakes, which in turn lead to dramatically changed futures. As a result, I think many of us tend to think of quantum as something huge. We take a "quantum leap" to mean a huge jump.

Well, Nope.

Quantum actually refers to the smallest discrete amount or unit of a physical quantity. It describes the tiniest possible change in state. Imagine a tiny electron within you, hopping between energy levels like a caffeine-fueled rabbit. This minuscule action, however, leads to massive transformations.

In FutureU, I utilize the the term Quantum Self to capture the essence of the multiverse within you—the infinite potential of tiny shifts that could lead to monumental outcomes. Every decision, every risk, every bold step could unleash a different facet of you, each one capable of extraordinary things.

So taking a Quantum Leap, in FutureU, does not mean taking a huge leap. It refers to these practically imperceptible shifts that open a path to great transformation. These tiny shifts can be immaterial decisions made deep in the soul. They can be the tiniest actions that create new disciplines that create a new skill or remold a behavior.

Second, Superposition: In quantum mechanics, particles exist in multiple states simultaneously until observed. Have you heard of Schrödinger's cat? This is a thought experiment that seeks to help us non science types understand how reality works at the quantum level. In this experiment, we are to imagine a cat in a box. Here’s the Schrödinger's cat question: Is the cat dead or alive?

We don’t know.

From a quantum mechanics perspective, the cat is neither dead nor alive, but both dead and alive.

At the quantum level, a system can exist in multiple states at once, known as a superposition, until it is measured. Quantum physicists believe that Schrödinger's cat illustrates this by suggesting that until the box is opened, the cat is simultaneously alive and dead, representing a superposition of states.

In the quantum world, nothing changes until you observe it. When you open the box, your observation of the cat causes it to collapse into one state (dead) or the other (alive). That’s reality in the quantum sphere.

Well, up here in the non-quantum sphere, this thought experiment actually just confuses everybody, who then turn their attention to watch an episode of Hell’s Kitchen.

But here’s where I find the metaphor useful. Superposition parallels the concept of you having numerous potential states (talents, capacities, potentials, unknowns) that can manifest. It's like being a superhero with multiple hidden powers, each waiting for the right moment to be revealed.

Third, Entanglement: Quantum entanglement implies interconnectedness, where particles influence each other regardless of distance. This can symbolize the interconnected aspects of your capacities and talents influencing each other, creating a complex web of potential. Your knack for cooking might just inspire your next business venture, which in turn could lead you to write a bestseller. But this is not the only level of interconnectedness. There’s not only the interconnectedness within you, but your connectedness to the world around you.

These are metaphorical dimensions of your Quantum Self. Let’s look at a real world example.

The Last Starfighter and Jann Mardenborough

In FutureU, I explored the story of a young man, Jann Mardenborough, whose world revolved around a car racing simulation game. His dad, Steve, was concerned because college wasn't in Jann's plans. But then, an unexpected opportunity arises. Jann's prowess in the game ranks him among the best simulation drivers in the world. A competition is organized, and the prize? A real shot at becoming a professional race car driver.

This sounds like a plot straight out of the 80s sci-fi movie The Last Starfighter, where a kid becomes a space pilot based on his video game skills.

But for Jann, this was real life. After hundreds of hours playing a racing simulation game, Jann found himself among the top real-world drivers at Le Mans, one of the world’s most prestigious races.

You can see in Jann’s story expressions of his Quantum Self. Small steps —that is, playing a video game — opened pathways to great transformation. Jann took a Quantum Leap. The video game play he was undertaking was resonating with a Marketing team across the world who were trying to engage a newer generation with their cars. They created the competition Jann would eventually win. They were entangled, without even knowing it. Would Jann rise to the challenge? Would he be a dead cat or the cat that  lived? He opened the box by taking the risk and entering the competition.

Jann's story exemplifies how specific circumstances can unleash unique potential. If he had been born in a different era, his talent might have remained hidden. It's a perfect example of the quantum self—how latent potential can manifest under the right conditions. What within you might awaken if the conditions presented themselves?

Embracing Your Quantum Self

So, how do you embrace your Quantum Self? Here are a few tips:

Pay Attention to Your Dreams: Like Jann Mardenborough, your seemingly small interests could be the gateway to your next great adventure.


Take Bold Steps: Don’t be afraid to make those quantum leaps. Even the smallest steps can lead to significant transformations.


Explore Interconnectedness: Just as quantum entanglement shows us the power of interconnected particles, recognize that your skills and talents are interwoven. Nurture them all.


Embrace Uncertainty: Your potential isn't fixed. The possibilities are endless and ever-changing. Be open to the unexpected.


Push Boundaries: Whether it's through learning, exploration, or personal growth, continually challenge yourself to discover new facets of your multiverse.

Remember, you are a multiverse within yourself, brimming with potential. Your life's adventures, the challenges you face, and the dreams you pursue all help to unveil the different states of your Quantum Self. So go ahead, embrace your inner superhero, and let's see what extraordinary leaps you'll make next!

Scan the QR code, and listen to FutureU:forging a path to your most heroic self for yourself. If you do, thanks for the support.

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