How to Develop the Future Self

Last Updated on August 26, 2024 by Jan Barley

Since late 2023, I’ve taken time out to review my future work. I left the crypto industry and realised I hadn’t been happy for a long time. The industry is flawed, a bit broken and has no heart.

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial flair, but I got too comfortable with regular work and stopped pursuing the things that would take me away from relying on client work.

Since then, my energies have been a bit scattered. The uncertainty of an irregular income, coupled with my ADHD tendencies, caused me to shoot in too many directions.

Benjamin Hardy Changed My Life

Then, I watched a YouTube video by Dr. Benjamin Hardy, a psychologist and best-selling author. One of his books, 10X is Easier than 2X, focuses on the concept that it is easier to achieve impossible goals than smaller ones.

My soul must have recognised the truth of the content because the hairs on my body stood to attention. I felt connected to “something” indefinable within me, yet there was a sense of knowing.

Most of the time, we operate based on our past experiences and habits. They have shaped the present “you.” However, if you have a big goal or dream, the past and present you is unlikely to get you to where you want to be. How can anything change if you do what you’ve always done what you always do?

For example, I’ve had regular client work for almost three years. My earnings were healthy, and I was comfortable. However, I’ve relied on my income from people paying me to write content for them. I’m a widow living in a rented cottage, and I must cover my expenses. Therefore, I immediately began looking for more clients when I was “let go” from the crypto companies this year.

My goal is to have financial freedom and a house of my own. But I’ve been saying that for decades, and nothing has changed.

How can that dream happen if I keep writing for clients? If I take on more work, I will suffer from burnout. If I raise my prices, there’s only so high I can go before the market resists. Therefore, the goal must be bigger than that.

Here’s the Kicker

Benjamin Hardy says that our present self must be directed by the future self. In other words, what would she tell you to do today if “future you” achieved the impossible goal?

Would she tell me to find more clients or get on and publish the courses and books I have planned? Would she advise against affiliate marketing and creating passive income?

No. The future “me” is a badass creative who loves her work and is not the person exchanging money for time to make a living. She is free of time for money constraints and helps others to find financial freedom, too.

I believe this information is life-changing when you fully absorb the power of the future self guiding your actions.

How to Own Your Future Self and Become Who You Want to Be

Change is inevitable, but you can shape it to your advantage. You can become the person you want to be by following these three steps:

Separate Your Past, Present, and Future Selves

You are not the same person you were yesterday and will not be the same person tomorrow. You have grown and changed over time, and you have the potential to grow and change even more.

Don’t let your current self define your future self. You have the power to choose who you want to be.

It sounds easy, but it isn’t. We are creatures of habit, so the survival brain resists even when we know change is good for us. Accept that the feelings of discomfort do not indicate danger. Indeed, feeling uncomfortable means you are closer to becoming the badass future YOU.

Imagine Your Desired Future Self

What are your goals and dreams? What kind of person do you want to be? How do you want to live your life? These are the questions to ask yourself to create a clear and specific vision of your desired future self.

Use techniques like visualisation, journaling, and affirmations to make your future self as vivid as possible in your mind.

Some of the questions I’ve asked myself so far, are: –

• What do I want?
• What do I not want?
• What car do I drive?
• What charities do I help?
• Who shares my future life?
• What does my home look like?
• What does my future daily life look like?
• How can I better connect with my future self?
• What actions today will take me closer to my goal?
• Who do I need to be today to reach my impossible goal?
• What connections must I build to support my future self?
• What does my future self look like? What is she wearing?
• How can I let go of the past so it doesn’t shape my future?

I journal each night before turning off the light. It’s an excellent way to condition the subconscious mind during sleeping hours. Each morning, I awake feeling more hopeful and clear about what to do next.

Create and Share Your Identity and New Story

Your identity is the story you tell yourself and others about who you are and who you are becoming. It influences your thoughts, feelings, and actions. To become your desired future self, create a positive and compelling story that explains how you got to the goal. What steps did you take? Were there any roadblocks, and how did you overcome them?

Share your story with people who support you and hold you accountable. Consider starting a mastermind group of like-minded souls.

This new identity story will drive your behaviour, shaping your personality as you move towards the impossible goal.

You can start living like your future self today. You can own your future self and create the change you want to see in yourself and the world.

I believe you have the power to become who you want to be.

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