Do You Treat Your Future Self As a Stranger?
I read a fascinating article recently about how we treat our future selves like strangers.
Here's what that means: You're at a terrific restaurant.
You have the chance to eat healthfully and maybe one small treat.
Instead, you think, "What the heck, I'm going all out on the bread basket, the drinks, the heavy entree, and of course, dessert! Tomorrow, I'll diet.
" Okay, maybe "you" have never done that, but in the past, I sure have! What's interesting is that we treat our future selves, as in "Tomorrow I'll...
" as someone completely different from who we are today! Funny how we think that our selves tomorrow won't care that we have to pass up the goodies, whereas today, it's almost impossible to resist.
We act like ourselves tomorrow are totally different from today.
Now that's funny and, in truth, kinda weird.
As the saying goes, "Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.
" So, what to do? You know I wouldn't suggest a problem without offering you a solution! Here's a technique I've used in the past, and have tweaked a bit recently, that I believe will help you make great decisions that your present and future self will be pleased with.
Council yourself as your future self.
Here's what this means, next time you need to make a decision, imagine yourself 10 or more years from now sitting beside you and giving you advice.
It's amazing how well this works in helping you make wise decisions.
After all, who knows you better than you? And the recent tweak is this, imagine your future self, whether it's 3 months or 20 years from now is writing you a letter thanking you for your thoughtful choices as your future is so much better because of the path you took.
This works whether you are making long-term decisions such as continually investing in your retirement plan, or short-term decisions such as dessert today or no? Yesterday, I went for a 6-mile walk in the beautiful Garden of the Gods, which is a lovely as the name implies.
As I drove the short 10 minute trip to the parking lot, I started writing myself a letter in my head as my future self.
I was saying, "Thanks so much for choosing to jog that instead! I feel great! And I thank you for taking such good care of this body as it's going to be around for a long time.
" Cheesy you say? Well, maybe so, but guess what? I jogged the whole 6 miles, and made healthful choices through the day.
Here's what that means: You're at a terrific restaurant.
You have the chance to eat healthfully and maybe one small treat.
Instead, you think, "What the heck, I'm going all out on the bread basket, the drinks, the heavy entree, and of course, dessert! Tomorrow, I'll diet.
" Okay, maybe "you" have never done that, but in the past, I sure have! What's interesting is that we treat our future selves, as in "Tomorrow I'll...
" as someone completely different from who we are today! Funny how we think that our selves tomorrow won't care that we have to pass up the goodies, whereas today, it's almost impossible to resist.
We act like ourselves tomorrow are totally different from today.
Now that's funny and, in truth, kinda weird.
As the saying goes, "Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.
" So, what to do? You know I wouldn't suggest a problem without offering you a solution! Here's a technique I've used in the past, and have tweaked a bit recently, that I believe will help you make great decisions that your present and future self will be pleased with.
Council yourself as your future self.
Here's what this means, next time you need to make a decision, imagine yourself 10 or more years from now sitting beside you and giving you advice.
It's amazing how well this works in helping you make wise decisions.
After all, who knows you better than you? And the recent tweak is this, imagine your future self, whether it's 3 months or 20 years from now is writing you a letter thanking you for your thoughtful choices as your future is so much better because of the path you took.
This works whether you are making long-term decisions such as continually investing in your retirement plan, or short-term decisions such as dessert today or no? Yesterday, I went for a 6-mile walk in the beautiful Garden of the Gods, which is a lovely as the name implies.
As I drove the short 10 minute trip to the parking lot, I started writing myself a letter in my head as my future self.
I was saying, "Thanks so much for choosing to jog that instead! I feel great! And I thank you for taking such good care of this body as it's going to be around for a long time.
" Cheesy you say? Well, maybe so, but guess what? I jogged the whole 6 miles, and made healthful choices through the day.
Source...