Living Into Future Self

It’s so easy to focus on the past, but if we do that, we stay stuck and don’t move forward to reach our desired goals.  Living into our future self is a way of getting to our goals by already becoming that person. 

So, what do I mean by “Living into your future self”?  Think of a goal you may have.  Maybe it is having a more intimate relationship with your partner, making a million dollars, starting a business, losing 30 pounds, exercising more or drinking less.  Whatever it is, imagine yourself there.  What would you be wearing?  How would you be eating?  What would it look like to be sitting at your desk?  What are your surroundings like?  What kinds of conversations are you having?  Really let yourself feel what it is like.  Practice the feeling over and over again and then begin showing up in your life today as if you’re already there. 

It’s important to remember that to get there, it will have more to do with the thoughts you are thinking than the actions.  After all, every action or thing we do, starts from a thought.  Think about how you would BE not what you would DO.

Here’s an example from myself.  I wanted to weigh 135 pounds and maintain that weight.  The work looked something like this:

Question: What would 135 Barbara be eating?  What would she need to think?

So, I pretend I am already weighing 135 pounds and answer the question.

Answer:   I eat healthy foods and watch what I put in my mouth.  I’m conscious about planning the food I’m going to eat.  I love putting healthy food in my body.  It feels so good to be at a lower weight.  When I open the refrigerator, it is filled with fruits, vegetables, kombucha and easy to reach protein snacks.

Question: What would 135 Barbara do if she caught herself reaching for ice cream or cookies that weren’t part of her plan?  What would she need to think?

So, I imagine that I am literally in front of the cabinet or reaching for the ice-cream and answer the question.

Answer: I feel so uncomfortable.  I really want the treat.  I’m willing to feel this uncomfortable feeling and know it is an urge that will pass. I remind myself that I can eat whatever I want but it’s better to plan on it so I’m eating consciously. I allow myself to feel the uncomfortable feeling.

Question: What would 135 Barbara be doing for exercise?  How is she getting motivated?

So, I imagine waking up in the morning and thinking about what I will do.

Answer:  I’m looking forward to exercising today.  It feels really good.  I decide to run, bike, swim, play tennis, paddle-board or walk the dog. Even if I am short on time, I know I can do something for at least 15 minutes.  So, I choose what I can do and do it.

Question: What does 135 Barbara do when she goes off planned eating, drinks too much, or doesn’t exercise? What does she think about herself?

So, I imagine myself with a hangover.

Answer:  I am not beating myself up.  I am thinking back at what happened and why I drank more than I planned.  I get curious about what was going on.  I write it down and I move on.   

 By asking the question today about how my future self would act and already starting think like that, I found myself already starting to live like my future self and before I knew it I was there.

 What is it that you want?  Ask yourself “What would future _______________ be thinking and doing?” And then start thinking and doing it!