The first head of Google's Innovation Lab shares the most important lesson he imparted to his colleagues.

Frederik Pferdt helped shape how employees at Google think about the future.

Pferdt, a former Stanford University adjunct professor of design thinking, spent 12 years at Google as its first "chief innovation evangelist." During his tenure, he established the company's Innovation Lab and co-founded the Google Garage, a hub for employees to collaborate and experiment on new ideas.

Pferdt was surprised by the absence of a unified approach to promoting innovation at Google when he first joined the company, he recalls.

"Pferdt explains that he observed a need in the organization and decided to leave Google in 2022. He notes that while innovation is often discussed, there was no clear "Google way" to innovate."

Pferdt taught thousands of Googlers how to adopt a "future-ready mind state" in order to become as successful as the most successful people at the company, who earned plaudits for their future-facing ideas.

Pferdt suggests that being proactive in shaping your future is more beneficial than feeling anxious or uncertain about what may happen. By being open, curious, and forward-thinking, you can increase your chances of discovering opportunities for yourself.

"Pferdt asserts that the mind state is incredibly powerful because it allows individuals to have complete control over their perception of life's events. He believes that if people accept this idea, they will be able to make better decisions and identify more opportunities."

In his book "What's Next Is Now: How to Live Future Ready," Pferdt suggests that developing a "mind state" can be achieved by training the brain to embrace six traits.

• To combat anxiety and uncertainty, Pferdt suggests adopting radical optimism. By embracing the unknown and thinking positively, you can identify potential opportunities in new, potentially frightening situations.
• Research indicates that human brains are capable of adapting and learning even when the concept is uncomfortable. Pferdt suggests that embracing discomfort can help individuals identify new opportunities.
• Pferdt's curiosity led him to innovate at Google. Research shows that humans' curiosity decreases with age, so it must be actively cultivated.
• "Experimentation is the key to progress, as Pferdt believes," says the expert.
• "Empathy is essential for meaningful understanding and innovation," Pferdt emphasizes. Through empathy, you gain a deeper comprehension of the world and yourself.
• Pferdt claims that every human possesses a unique skill or trait that aids them in overcoming their greatest challenges.

By focusing on those six traits, you can effectively shape your future, whether personally, professionally, or otherwise, says Pferdt.

Long-term success requires curiosity and a willingness to experiment, according to research. Curiosity motivates individuals to acquire new knowledge and skills, encourages them to be more innovative and can enhance their job satisfaction.

Pferdt claims that it is the key to unlocking the possibilities of the future.

To become a successful and confident communicator, enroll in CNBC's online course, "Become an Effective Communicator: Master Public Speaking." Our program will teach you how to speak clearly and confidently, manage your nerves, choose the right words and body language, and make a great first impression. Sign up now and use code EARLYBIRD for a 30% discount through July 10, 2024.

Sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to receive expert advice on work, money, and life.