You're likely to face many transitions in your life, from job changes to becoming a parent to growing old. It's easier to manage the process when you understand what's involved.

Knowing what to expect reduces stress and gives you time to adjust. If your son needs more attention at school, you can talk with his teachers and hire a tutor before his grades start to drop.

Disagreements with family and coworkers sometimes take us by surprise. When you have more insight into your relationships, you can generate greater harmony.

Foresight also opens our eyes to treasures we might otherwise overlook. You might discover a current friendship has the potential to turn into a wonderful marriage.

It's worthwhile to focus on your own thoughts because that's where you usually have the most control. Be honest with yourself about where your current thinking is taking you and where you'd like to go.

Where would you like to go?

As always, keeping a journal is a good discipline. Setting your forecasts down on paper gives them structure and clarity.

What are your predictions?

Look back over time to review your performance. You may find that your judgment is sound when it comes to career issues, but you may require more work with your love life.

What is your success rate?

There's a general tendency to underestimate the chances of unwanted things happening in the future. Face it. Someday your roof may leak or your car may break down.

How pragmatic are you?

Stay alert for recurring events. Do you gain weight each holiday season or see less of your friends when you start dating someone new?

Do you notice any patterns?

For the best results, pin yourself down. Deciding how you'll spend your annual bonus this year is more revealing than dreaming about what you'd do if you landed a better paying job.

What concrete scenarios can you develop?

Your friends can see how you really behave while you may get distracted by how you want to see yourself.

Who can help you?

The little choices you make add up over time. Eating your vegetables and getting regular exercise strengthen your odds of living longer.

What little things can you change?

Stay motivated by reminding yourself of future rewards. Ask yourself if having the down payment for a house in five years will be more gratifying than buying expensive coffee drinks each morning.

What are the consequences?

If you're concerned about the path you're on, the sooner you make positive changes the better off you'll be. Increase the payroll deductions for your retirement account or schedule the dental checkup you've been putting off.

What changes do you need to make?

Games are a fun and effective workout for your forecasting abilities. Break out the chess board or learn to play other strategy games like "Go."

What strategy games do you like?

Most of all, envision your future as a dynamic event you bring into being rather than something that happens to you. Becoming more skillful gives you more successes to look forward to.

What are your dreams?