When considering future commitments or tasks, ask yourself if you would be willing and able to do it right now. If it feels too busy or unenjoyable in the present, it’s likely your future self will feel the same, helping to combat future time slack and mispredictions.
To foster a stronger connection with your future self, use first-person pronouns like ‘I’ and ‘me’ when thinking about future experiences or choices. This helps bridge the psychological distance, making your future self feel less like a stranger.
When faced with an unpleasant task, allow yourself to experience and sit with any negative emotions like anxiety or aversion in the present moment. This helps you tackle the task now, preventing prolonged dread and protecting your future self from the burden.
Cultivate mindfulness to accurately identify your genuine preferences and desires, rather than automatically saying yes to commitments to avoid social awkwardness or guilt. This ensures decisions align with your well-being, rather than offloading unwanted experiences onto your future self.
Actively notice and acknowledge feelings of regret, aversion, or ‘ickiness’ when making a decision about a future commitment. This mindful awareness helps determine if you are genuinely interested or merely avoiding present social discomfort.
Constantly remind yourself that you are in an ongoing relationship with your future self, who has feelings and deserves to be treated as a friend. This mental model encourages continuous effort to make better, more empathetic decisions for your future well-being.
Be aware of the fundamental attribution error, understanding that behavior (including your own future behavior) is heavily influenced by situational constraints, not just inherent personality. This helps avoid misjudging others and overcommitting your future self without considering future circumstances.