Set Future You Up For Success

“The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Gandhi

The idea of the future can often come off as intangibly philosophical. Grandiose statements of a mysterious ‘the future’ make it easy to shrug off what’s to come. Philosophical thought journeys can be enjoyable, but we prefer to take a more grounded view. The actions of present you are setting the stage for future you.

Decisions in the present are based off the information you have at the time. The goal is to make good decisions to set your future self up for success. Studies show regrets can be caused by comparing a chosen option with a belief about what other alternatives could have been¹. Keep in mind, no decision is perfect and humans tend to inflate the attractiveness of past alternatives. Don’t let this lead to analysis paralysis. Lean on proven ways to set yourself up for success. Break goals down into small steps². Take compound interest as an example. If present you invests $500 (£392.22 or €453.50) and contributes $100 per month, future you will have $24,500 (£19,218.70 or €22,221.50) in 20 years³. Or on a more basic level, brush your teeth⁴. Regardless of what you choose, performing maintenance now will benefit you in the future.

Will future you look back at past you with fondness? Or will future you have some choice words for past you? Taking care of future you can be as simple as laying your clothes out the day before or as complex as financial planning. Take the time to reflect upon how present you is setting up future you for success. Where do you want future you to be? Break your actions down to small acts vs. bigger picture goals. Love future you, so that when present you looks back at past you it is an enjoyable view.

Action: Do something for your future self. Thank your past self for something they did for you.

Further Reading:

1. The One That Got Away: Overestimation of Forgone Alternatives as a Hidden Source of Regret
2. 10 Ways To Set Yourself Up For Career Success
3. Compound Interest Calculator
4. Effectiveness of brushing teeth in patients with reduced oral hygiene by laypeople: a randomized, controlled study