Why Are We So Bad at Being Kind to Our Future Selves?
Loren Phillips
Director at Copy That Communications | Strategist | Facilitator | Coach
We often struggle to prioritise our future well-being over immediate gratification. A fascinating study illustrates this: on May 11th, 2011, research subjects had to choose between $5 immediately or $500 in less than two weeks. Surprisingly, most chose the $5. This decision was influenced by their belief in an imminent apocalypse, but even without such beliefs, we often make similar short-term choices.
Why Do We Prioritise the Present Over the Future?
Connecting With Our Future Selves Empathising with our future selves is key to making better long-term decisions. We're notoriously bad at predicting our future emotions, both positive and negative. For example, while the idea of eating ice cream daily seems appealing, studies show it quickly leads to misery. Conversely, people who experience devastating events, like being stood up at the altar, often report feeling much happier than expected later on.
Visualisations and artistic expressions can help bridge the gap between our present and future selves. Initiatives like the FaceApp craze, which showed users aged versions of themselves, have proven effective in encouraging better long-term financial planning.
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My Personal Journey
When I was in my 20s, I actively did things for my future 60-year-old self. This habit has somewhat fallen away, but I’m reinvigorating it now, committing to doing more for my 80-year-old self (60 seems a bit close, haha).
Final Thoughts
Empathising with our future selves requires us to see them as close, emotionally bonded individuals. Visualisation techniques can help us feel more connected and invested in their well-being, leading to better decisions today that benefit us tomorrow.
How do you plan for your future self? Share your thoughts and experiences!
#Futures #Selfcare #LongTermPlanning #Empathy #PersonalGrowth #Mindfulness #FinancialPlanning #BehaviourDesign