Unlock Gifts To The Future You With This Strategy
Just a short one today. But if you take advantage of this idea, you might look back on it as a key unlock for you.
I came across this insight while listening to the incredibly funny comedian Jimmy Carr.
He was doing a podcast with Stephen Bartlett on Diary of CEO and shared this awesome approach.
Carr discussed the idea of asking yourself, “What could you do today that you’d be happy you did tomorrow?”
It’s the idea that I can have big plans for five years from now. But, there are MANY steps needed to take me from here to there.
James Clear and many others have highlighted how difficult it is to see the progress we make with each step as we’re chipping away.
Sure, I went to the gym today. But I don’t really look any different. And I don’t really feel that different. My blood panels wouldn’t be different tomorrow because of it.
That can make it hard to maintain consistency.
This frame of asking yourself all the time what I can do right now that would be an awesome gift for me tomorrow could be a massive unlock.
For example…
I have a big test next week that I don’t feel like studying for right now – but I know tomorrow, I will wish I’d studied a bit today. That can help you find the motivation to put in some work you might not have otherwise.
I don’t feel like going to the gym, but I want to create the identity for myself of someone who works out and reaps the benefits of it. I know I’ll feel better about myself tomorrow because I did it today and I’ll be glad I did it.
Do you think that could help you get to the gym?
In my case, I recently presented to clients in French. Now, I’m not perfectly bilingual, so it takes work to be ready to present. I used this approach to knock down 400-500 Anki flashcards daily and practice my presentation. Each day, I looked back and thought about how happy I was that I had done it the day before. It was an awesome gift I’d given to myself.
I’ve been experimenting with this idea for a while now, and it’s working great.
Let me know how it goes when you try it!
