You see, one of the biggest factors
in making smart decisions is knowing when to pay short-term costs for long-term
benefits. It’s about keeping the future in mind.
But for many, especially in our
fast-paced world, there is a tendency for “instant gratification.” We want things
now, not later – even if that means rejecting a much bigger reward in
the future.
If you don’t think about your future
self, and only consider your needs and wants in the present moment, then that
can often lead to a lot of impulsive decisions that later come back to bite you.
True intelligence requires that we
act with a long-term mindset. We need to pay attention to how what we do today
is going to ultimately influence where we are tomorrow. Sometimes it is more
important to hold off on something now, so that we have even more to gain in
the future.
If you consider your wants and needs
in the future, you’re going to act differently today than you would if you
completely ignored your future. Individuals are more likely to make these
future-oriented decisions when they feel more powerful and in control over
their lives. Perhaps, too many people underestimate the influence they have
over their future, so they begin to neglect it entirely.
It’s easy to see how our actions
influence the present. We do something and we get an immediate reaction. But
it’s a lot harder to imagine how these actions influence our future self,
months, years and decades down the road. The successful person is strongly connected to their “future self.” They
see where they want to be and how they can start moving in that direction today.
Many people underestimate how much
their lives will change in the future. But think of it this way:
Take a moment to look back at your
life 5, 10, or 20 years ago. That “past self” probably seems quite different
from your “present self.” In the same way, if you look ahead toward your life
5, 10, or 20 years, your “future self” is likely to be just as different. We’re
constantly growing and changing.
Now that you know the importance of your future self, what are some useful ways you can start better connecting with your future self?
Here are a few exercises to try:
- Take 5 minutes and ask yourself, “How are my actions
today influencing where I will be in the future?” Try to have a long-term
mindset and see the bigger picture behind your daily habits.
- Write a letter from your “future self” to your “present
self.” What kind of advice might they give to you? What insights could you
potentially learn from them?
- Imagine what
your life may be like in 5 years. Then 10 years. Then 20 years. What are
some possible paths that you might travel down?
The main lesson: thinking about your future self is going to have a positive influence on the actions of your present self.
Of course, this doesn’t mean we
should always be thinking about the future. We have to give ourselves permission
to enjoy the present too. Our “present self” and “future self” need to be
balanced in a healthy way. That balance is critical to our inner peace and
happiness.
Have you been thinking about your
future self lately? If not, make sure you try out the exercises above and see
how they work for you.
Get on the right path to achieve
your full potential! Focus on personal development to improve your life. Book a
free strategy session at http://www.denisedema.com
today!
source: The Emotion Machine
source: The Emotion Machine