Podcast Summary
Self-deception: Making plans for self-improvement while not following through with current actions can lead to a cycle of broken promises, hindering real progress.
We often make plans to improve our future selves, such as setting new goals or habits, but we often fail to follow through when we're currently indulging in something we're not planning on doing for our future self. This can lead to a cycle of making promises to ourselves and then breaking them. For example, we might plan to exercise regularly or eat healthy meals, but if we're currently indulging in unhealthy food or skipping workouts, it's easy to make plans for the future while also satisfying our current cravings. This is a lie we tell ourselves, and it's a common pattern that can be hard to break. To truly make a difference in our lives, we need to be honest with ourselves about our current actions and make a commitment to following through with our plans for our future selves, even when it's difficult.
Doing favors for future self: Focusing on doing small favors for future self can make lives easier and more efficient, build responsibility and accountability, and lead to greater fulfillment and satisfaction.
Instead of relying on a future, more motivated version of ourselves to take action, we should focus on doing favors for our present selves that will benefit our future selves. This concept can be applied to even the smallest tasks and, with consistency, can become a habit or ritual. For instance, if you often forget to put out the trash bin, you can do a favor for your future self by ensuring there's a bag in the bin each day. This simple act can save you the inconvenience of having to go get a bag in the morning. By focusing on doing small favors for our future selves, we can make our lives easier and more efficient in the long run. This approach also helps to build a sense of responsibility and accountability towards ourselves, leading to a greater sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. So, no matter how busy or unmotivated we may feel, there's always something we can do for our future selves.
Making amends for healthy habit missteps: Instead of punishing yourself for unhealthy choices, focus on making amends and moving forward through self-care actions, such as meal prepping or making a long-avoided phone call.
Instead of letting a perceived slip-up in your healthy habits lead you to a spiral of self-punishment and unhealthy choices, try to focus on making amends and moving forward. If you have a bad food day or encounter an unexpected obstacle, don't write off the rest of the day. Instead, consider it an opportunity to do something nice for your future self. This could be as simple as meal prepping for the next day or making a long-avoided phone call. By taking small, positive actions, you can shift your mindset from one of self-punishment to self-care, and set yourself up for success in the days to come. Remember, it's important to avoid labeling foods as "good" or "bad," as this can lead to unhealthy emotional attachments and a negative relationship with food. Instead, focus on making balanced choices and practicing self-compassion. By treating yourself kindly and making amends for any missteps, you'll be more likely to stay on track with your health goals in the long run.
Future Self Care: Small tasks like outfit planning and meal prepping for the next day can ease life and provide a sense of accomplishment (very near future self). Planning new habits, hobbies, or skills can lead to personal growth over the next 6-18 months (further future self)
Taking care of your future self starts with small tasks and planning ahead. By setting up simple things like your outfit for the next day or meal prepping, you can make your life easier and feel a sense of accomplishment. This is known as taking care of your "very near future self." Additionally, consider the benefits of planning for your "further future self" by starting a new habit, hobby, or skill. Consistently dedicating time to these activities can lead to significant personal growth and development over the next six to eighteen months. Overall, focusing on the needs of your future self can lead to increased productivity, organization, and personal growth.
Personal Growth: Dedicate time and effort to both short-term and long-term personal growth by setting daily tasks, creating a personal statement, and choosing a long-term goal that allows for continuous growth.
Investing in both short-term and long-term personal growth can lead to significant achievements and rewards. The speaker suggests setting daily tasks for both your immediate and distant future selves, with the long-term tasks focusing on habits, rituals, or skills that offer continuous growth. By doing so, you can experience both immediate satisfaction and long-term progress. To put this into practice, the speaker recommends creating a personal statement to help maintain motivation and overcome procrastination. This statement should remind you of the importance of taking action towards your goals, no matter how small they may seem. By focusing on both the short and long-term, you can create a balanced approach to personal development that leads to meaningful change over time. The speaker also emphasizes the value of choosing a long-term goal that allows for continuous growth, such as learning a new skill or language. This not only provides a sense of accomplishment but also offers the opportunity to expand your abilities and reach new heights. In summary, the key takeaway is that by dedicating time and effort to both short-term and long-term personal growth, you can make significant strides towards achieving your goals and becoming the best version of yourself. Remember to set daily tasks, create a personal statement, and choose a long-term goal that allows for continuous growth.
Impact of inaction on future self: Recognizing the disappointment and annoyance towards past self for inaction can motivate us to take action and break the cycle of procrastination.
We all face the challenge of procrastinating and talking ourselves out of taking immediate action on tasks. This negative self-talk can lead to regret and frustration when we look back at opportunities missed. To break this cycle, it's essential to recognize the negative impact of not acting now on our future selves. By asking ourselves how our future selves would feel about our current inaction, we can tap into a powerful emotion that motivates us to take action. This approach, inspired by the five-second rule, can help us overcome the hesitation and excuses that often prevent us from starting tasks. By focusing on the disappointment and annoyance we would feel towards our past selves for not taking action, we can harness the power of our emotions to fuel our productivity and growth.
Future Self: Small actions today can lead to significant improvements for our future selves, providing a sense of accomplishment and relief. Don't let the annoyance or difficulty of tasks deter you, focus on the benefits for your future self.
Taking small actions, no matter how insignificant they may seem, can significantly improve our future selves' well-being. It's easy to procrastinate or dismiss tasks, especially when they're simple or tedious. But the feeling of accomplishment and relief that comes after completing them is worth the effort. So, instead of focusing on the annoyance or difficulty of a task, think about the benefits it will bring to your future self. This could be anything from cleaning your home, learning a new skill, or working towards a goal. By asking yourself what it means to your future self if you don't take action, you can motivate yourself to take the first step. Remember, every small action counts and can lead to bigger improvements down the line. And as always, be kind to yourself and don't let negative self-talk hold you back.