Want feedback: Blog article on getting your future self to do what you want.

[Keith]

I decided some of the thoughts I posted in this thread deserved to be expanded into a blog article.

This being the first blog article I've ever written, I'd love some feedback. Is it any good? What can I do better? What on earth should I call the article? Is it the sort of thing you'd be interested in reading?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

---- Blog article ----

How inclined are you to listen to someone who orders you around? What if they clearly aren’t willing to put the effort in themselves and just want you to do all the work?

Even if it’s something you wanted to do anyway, odds are you’d resent it and dig in your heels.

Yet this is exactly what many of us do when we set goals for our future selves. We say "I’m going on a diet – starting tomorrow." or "I’m going for a run every morning this month". Is it any wonder that when our future selves inherit these goals, they frequently respond with a "bugger that!"?

If you want to convince someone else to set aside their priorities and do something for you, you’d put in the necessary time and effort to convince them to help. Your future self responds best when it receives the same respect.

So how to get your future self on side? A good start is to:

1. Be inspiring
Have a good, solid, inspiring, reason for your goal and communicate it clearly.

Future-you isn’t about to knock themselves out for a goal that you chose "'cos it seemed kinda nifty at the time". Think it through. Present a solid case for the goal both intellectually and emotionally. Make it good enough that it would convince another person as well as yourself. Don’t trust your memory - lay it out in writing.

And don’t forget to detail what’s in it for your future self. When they’re you they may have other priorities weighing on their mind. Make a case for why this goal is still important.


2. Demonstrate your commitment
Demonstrate to your future self that you’re willing to muck in and get your hands dirty. If at all possible take the first steps now.

Maybe it’s not possible to start immediately – for example, you’ve vowed to go on a diet but you’ve already had dinner. In that case do something else straight away to prove to yourself that you’re committed. Plan out tomorrow’s healthy meals and go shopping now. Make it as easy as possible for future you.

And respect your shared body. If you want future self to go running first thing in the morning for you, don’t staying up late watching crappy movies (or even good ones!).

When future you steps into the driver’s seat, you want the car full of petrol, and the destination programmed into the GPS.


Give your future self the same effort and respect that you’d give any other person volunteering to help you. You’ll appreciate it when you’re them and current you is a lot likelier to see their goal actually come true.

[Apollo]

I like this, a lot...very original!, gonna give that a go myself