Be Your Future Self Now

1. Your Future Self drives your present actions and decisions

"It is a peculiarity of man that he can only live by looking to the future-sub specie aeternitatis. And this is his salvation in the most difficult moments of his existence."

Future-driven behavior. All human actions are driven by goals, whether short-term or long-term. Our brains are essentially prediction machines, guiding behavior toward expected futures. This teleological view sees all human action as purposeful, even if the goal isn't consciously considered.

Importance of prospection. Humans have the unique ability to contemplate multiple potential futures. This capacity for prospection allows us to make decisions based on anticipated outcomes. The quality of our connection to our Future Self largely determines the quality of our present decisions and behaviors.

Research shows people more connected to their Future Self:

• Make wiser financial decisions
• Exercise more and eat healthier
• Engage in less delinquent behavior

2. Your Future Self will be different than you expect

"Human beings are works in progress that mistakenly think they're finished. The person you are right now is as transient, as fleeting and as temporary as all the people you've ever been."

End-of-history illusion. Most people acknowledge they've changed significantly in the past but underestimate how much they'll change in the future. This cognitive bias leads to a fixed mindset about one's identity and potential for growth.

Embracing change. Recognizing that your Future Self will be different allows for greater flexibility, openness to growth, and compassion for your current self. It frees you from the need to be perfect or finished now.

Benefits of seeing your Future Self as different:

• Less rigid thinking
• More open to learning and growth
• Greater ability to update perspectives and values
• Enhanced compassion for current and past selves

3. Invest in your Future Self now to reap compounding benefits

"Time will be your friend or your enemy; it will promote you or expose you."

Compound effect. Small, consistent investments in your Future Self lead to dramatic results over time. Every action either costs or invests in your Future Self, with compounding consequences.

Early investment. The earlier you start investing in your Future Self, the greater the compounding effect. This applies to knowledge, skills, finances, relationships, and overall sense of purpose.

Areas to invest in your Future Self:

• Learning and skill development
• Health and wellness
• Financial assets
• Meaningful relationships
• Personal growth and self-awareness

4. Clarify your purpose and priorities to shape your Future Self

"If you have more than three priorities, you don't have any."

Contextual purpose. Rather than seeking an overarching life purpose, focus on defining a specific, meaningful goal for your current context. This provides direction and motivation in the present.

Three core priorities. Identify no more than three key areas of focus that would take your life to a different level if realized. These priorities become the foundation for your Future Self.

Steps to clarify purpose and priorities:

1. Connect with your long-term Future Self
2. Define your contextual purpose through three major priorities
3. Set massive 12-month targets based on your priorities

5. Eliminate lesser goals to focus on what truly matters

"We are kept from our goal not by obstacles, but by a clear path to a lesser goal."

Commitment and focus. True commitment to your Future Self requires eliminating conflicting and lesser goals. Your behavior reflects what you're truly committed to in any given moment.

Identifying lesser goals. Assess your current habits, behaviors, and relationships to determine what conflicts with your contextual purpose and priorities. Be brutally honest about what you're still saying "yes" to that your Future Self would decline.

Questions to identify lesser goals:

• What in your life is outside your three priorities?
• What are you continuing to invest in that takes you away from where you want to go?
• What habits or relationships conflict with your Future Self vision?

6. Elevate from needing to wanting to knowing your desired future

"Faith knows it has already received and acts accordingly."

Emotional progression. Moving from a state of needing to wanting to knowing reflects higher levels of emotional development and belief in your Future Self. Knowing involves acceptance that you already have what you want.

Embodying your Future Self. When you fully accept and know your desired future is yours, you naturally align your actions with that vision. This state of knowing enables you to act from your goal rather than toward it.

Practices to elevate your belief:

• Visualize your Future Self in vivid detail
• Express gratitude for your vision as if it's already realized
• Align your identity with your Future Self through small, consistent actions

7. Ask boldly for what you want to accelerate progress

"Ask, and it shall be given you . . . For every one that asketh receiveth."

Direct asking. Clearly and boldly asking for exactly what you want often leads to faster results. Many people hesitate to ask, lowering their expectations and receiving less as a result.

Persistent asking. Sometimes achieving your goals requires persistence in asking. As you evolve, you'll refine what you're asking for to better align with your growing Future Self vision.

Ways to practice bold asking:

• Ask in prayer or meditation
• Seek help from experts and mentors
• Make clear requests of friends and collaborators
• Ask your audience or customers directly for support

8. Automate and systemize to support your Future Self

"For any challenge, the first thing to do is optimize it. Break it down to its bare minimum, simplify it, and eliminate everything that's not completely necessary."

System design. Create routines and processes that make desired behaviors as frictionless and automatic as possible. Impose barriers on unwanted outcomes to support your goals.

Offloading mental load. Automating and systematizing frees up mental energy and attention for more important tasks aligned with your Future Self vision.

Areas to automate and systemize:

• Financial investments and savings
• Health and fitness routines
• Learning and skill development
• Communication and scheduling
• Decision-making criteria for opportunities

9. Schedule time for your Future Self's priorities

"To me, 'busy' implies that the person is out of control of their life."

Time ownership. Take control of your schedule by prioritizing what matters most and eliminating what doesn't align with your Future Self vision. Your calendar should reflect your true priorities.

Proactive scheduling. Block time for your most important work and personal priorities before allowing other commitments. This ensures you're investing in your Future Self rather than being consumed by urgent but less important tasks.

Strategies for Future Self scheduling:

• Block "free days" for recovery and family time
• Dedicate specific days/times to your highest priority work
• Limit meetings and appointments to designated time slots
• Create a strict filter for what makes it onto your calendar

10. Aggressively complete imperfect work to make progress

"Ship often. Ship lousy stuff, but ship. Ship constantly."

Completion over perfection. Finishing projects, even imperfectly, is crucial for progress towards your Future Self. Consistent shipping leads to faster learning and improvement.

80% rule. Aim to complete work at 80% of your current best ability, rather than striving for 100% perfection. This allows for faster iteration and growth.

Benefits of aggressive completion:

• Faster learning and skill development
• Increased confidence through consistent action
• Ability to receive feedback and improve
• Momentum towards bigger goals

Last updated: September 19, 2024