You and your future self are distinct individuals

Research from UCLA and the University of Chicago indicates that recognizing the separation between your present self and your future aspirations can enhance your decision-making process.

The individual you will be in five years is not the same as the person you are now. If someone had told me five years ago that I would be writing blogs on Medium and selling digital products, I would have dismissed them as unrealistic. At that time, I aimed to become a programmer. But my true intention was to demonstrate that life could exist beyond the confines of the cult.

Back in 2019, my aspirations were vague: I desired a career that engaged my intellect and offered unlimited financial potential. However, I lacked specificity. In hindsight, virtually any online career could have met those criteria.

The key takeaway is that by differentiating your current self from your future self, you can gain clarity on the gaps that need bridging, leading to more informed decisions today. In 2019, I lacked the skills for online income generation, but I believed that the internet was my best avenue for achieving my career goals, so I acquired those skills.

Assuming that you will remain unchanged over the next five years is the worst mindset you can adopt. If you don't envision a future for yourself, someone else will shape it for you, just as I experienced in the cult, where my identity was dictated by the leader.

Your future shapes your present

In positive psychology, prospection refers to the ability to envision and assess potential futures. It is believed to be a crucial factor influencing your current identity and actions. Essentially, how you perceive your future will significantly impact your present state.

Viktor Frankl highlighted this in his book, Man’s Search for Meaning, stating, “The prisoner who had lost faith in the future — his future — was doomed.” Without a promising future to look forward to, your current life can feel increasingly unfulfilling.

Your perception of the future directly affects your emotional and physical well-being. A positive outlook fosters positive emotions, while a negative one breeds negativity.

As Benjamin Hardy articulates, “Your identity — which dictates your decisions and behaviors — is based on the future you see for yourself.”

This brings us back to the initial issue: if most people assume their present selves will remain constant, they struggle to envision a more expansive future, limiting their potential.

Dr. Carol Dweck of Stanford would describe this as a _fixed mindset_. You are not confined to who you are now, and your present circumstances are shaped by your future aspirations.

Albert Einstein once stated, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Your imagination is boundless, while your knowledge is finite, and you cannot comprehend everything.

The pathway to extraordinary success

Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw once remarked, “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” This implies that better decision-making is essential.

You must make choices today that your future self will appreciate in five years. These decisions should align with who you aspire to become and the community you aim to be part of in the future.

However, to enhance your decision-making, you must have a clearly defined vision for your future.

As Stephen Covey famously stated, “All things are created twice; first mentally, then physically.” The only way to make sound choices today is to understand who you want to be tomorrow.

The greater the time frame you consider, the more informed your decisions will be. If you wish to act consciously and intentionally, reflect on where your current choices may lead you.

23. Clement Stone, a self-educated insurance mogul, once said, “Big doors swing on small hinges.” This suggests that your choices can yield substantial outcomes over time.

Benjamin Hardy likens significant decisions to “hinge points” that alter our long-term trajectories. For instance, my choice to join a cult drastically changed my life's direction, shifting me away from my goal of becoming a professional football player.

Once I committed to that decision, the compound effect dictated my life’s path. The more I invested in the cult, the less likely I was to return to football.

This highlights the necessity of being deliberate in your choices. However, you need not get everything right at once. My decision to leave the cult was preceded by a small choice to read at least one book per month, which eventually led to significant changes in my life.

What small decision can you make today that could greatly impact who you'll become tomorrow? What change can you initiate now that you’ll take pride in five years from now? Remember, as Stephen Covey said, you must “begin with the end in mind.”

Success is highly predictable

Brian Tracy, a renowned motivational speaker, asserts, “Success is not an accident; success is predictable. Sadly, failure is not an accident either.”

You can anticipate your future success based on your current decisions — just be honest with yourself. Are your current choices steering you toward a clearly defined future, or are you simply drifting?

Smart decisions are intentional and based on a defined outcome, accompanied by a commitment to continual personal growth.

Recently, I made smart decisions such as consistently writing on Medium and focusing on my online business. I realized I had not fully utilized the unlimited potential I envisioned five years ago, simply because I had been vague about what I wanted.

You won't experience happiness and fulfillment in the present unless you're working toward a larger and more inspiring future. Frankl captured this in Man’s Search for Meaning, stating, “What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for a worthwhile goal, a freely chosen task.”

Without a future that inspires you, the present can feel meaningless and frustrating, leading to mediocre outcomes.

Avoiding common pitfalls

While clarity about your future is crucial for making effective decisions, it shouldn't lead to fixation on ideals. Comparing yourself to where you think you should be can restrict your growth.

Ernest Hemingway noted, “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” Measuring against ideals can distort your perspective and hinder your ability to appreciate your progress.

Instead, focus on measuring your current self against your past self. This backward reflection allows you to recognize your progress and fuels your motivation to pursue further growth.

Research indicates that confidence stems from recent achievements, so avoid the trap of idealistic comparisons. Reflect on your journey and recognize how far you’ve come.

The secret to a more fulfilling present lies in envisioning a brighter future. Begin considering your future self and making decisions that will leave a lasting impression on them.

As Benjamin Hardy states, “The clearer you get about your future, the more intentional you can be in the present.”

So, I’ll pose the question once more: “Five years from now you will arrive, the question is where?” Your current choices will determine your future, and a brighter tomorrow starts with the decisions you make today.

Be intentional in your choices, but remember to look ahead first. Clarify your vision for the future and start taking actions that will make your future self proud.

Thanks for reading! Join my email list for more insights like this. Sign up to receive a FREE copy of my short e-book — Don’t Just Set Goals, Build Systems.