Be Your Future Self Now
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to want something deeply… and still behave like a version of yourself who doesn’t fully believe it’s possible?
That’s one of the reasons Be Your Future Self Now by Dr. Benjamin Hardy stayed with me. What struck me most is not only the invitation to dream bigger, but the invitation to become more courageous toward your own dream — now, not “once everything is clearer.”
One of the core ideas of the book is powerful:
We are not only shaped by our past. We are also pulled by our future.
As humans, we can imagine possible futures, picture different versions of ourselves, and let those images shape our decisions. This ability matters more than we think.
Because every action is taking us somewhere.
So instead of asking only: “What do I feel like doing right now?”
We can ask:
What is this activity leading me toward?
What future is this choice reinforcing?
Am I approaching something meaningful, or mostly avoiding discomfort?
That shift alone can change a lot.
Fear can move us. Vision moves us better.
Another idea that stayed with me is that much of our behavior is driven by one of two forces: We are either trying to approach something we want, or avoid something we do not want.
Fear can absolutely push us into action.
But fear is exhausting.
Courage and vision create a different kind of momentum.
They give us direction.
They make consistency feel more meaningful.
They help us act from identity, not just from urgency.
And that is why this line really stayed with me:
Your view of your future self is the compass that draws you forward.
The way you relate to your future self shapes your life now
This may be the biggest takeaway of the whole book:
The quality of connection you have with your future self affects the quality of your decisions in the present.
When you feel connected to your future self, you make wiser choices now.
You are less distracted by short-term dopamine hits.
You are less tempted by endless options.
You are more willing to protect what actually matters.
Because you are not just reacting to the moment. You are caring for someone. You are caring for future you. And I really love that reframe.
Not as pressure.
Not as punishment.
But as respect.
A gentle question I want to keep with me this week is: What would my future self thank me for doing today?
Start with what you want and work backward.
This book also reminded me that clarity matters. To make better decisions, we need to know where those decisions are taking us.
Not just vaguely. Not just “I want a better life.”
But more specifically:
Who do I want to become?
What kind of life am I building?
What am I willing to protect now because it matters later?
Mental creation comes before physical creation. So much of what we create first exists as a vision, and then slowly becomes action, evidence, and identity.
The clearer you are on where you want to go, the less distracted you become by all the other options competing for your attention.
Purpose changes the present
This book also echoes something I deeply believe: Without a meaningful future, the present becomes heavier.
Purpose gives shape to courage. Hope gives us movement.
And hope here is not just optimism. Hope is:
having a clear goal
believing your actions matter
trusting that a path can be found or created
That’s such an important difference. Because a committed person is not rigid about the process. They are committed to the result — and flexible about the path.
That feels like a very strong reminder for all of us building something meaningful.
Your question for this Week
Taking this question with you:
If my future self had come back just for today, how would they want me to use this day?
Not in a fantasy life.
Not in a perfect season.
Not with more time, money, or energy.
Today.
With this real week.
This real body.
This real schedule.
This real life.
Because “be your future self now” is not about pretending. It is about alignment.
It is about choosing one thought, one action, one boundary, one brave step that belongs to the person you are becoming. And repeating that often enough that identity begins to shift.
This week’s invitation
Choose one future-self decision this week. Even just one. Something small, but real. Something your future self would recognize as trust.
Maybe it is:
protecting a focus block
saying no to something misaligned
starting the project you keep circling
moving your body
resting on purpose
making that difficult call
creating instead of scrolling
planning instead of only worrying
Then ask yourself: What would my future self thank me for this week?
Tell us in the comments — We’d love to know.
Stay productive — but even more important: stay happily creative.
Themes for this week (Week 11/2026)
Monday — Future Self Monday
Name the future clearly.
Prompt: What would your future self thank you for doing today?
Tuesday — Tiny Courage Tuesday
Bridge the gap between vision and action.
Prompt: What is one small brave move that belongs to the person you want to become?
Wednesday — Environment Wednesday
Let your space support your future self.
Prompt: What in your environment helps your future self — and what keeps pulling you back into old patterns?
Thursday — Lead Action Thursday
Turn identity into action.
Prompt: What is one lead action your future self would consider non-negotiable this week?
Friday — Finish Well Friday
Collect evidence before you judge the week.
Prompt: What did you do this week that your future self would actually be proud of?
Saturday — Rest / Fun Saturday
Rest can be part of alignment too.
Prompt: What kind of rest would genuinely serve your future self today?
Sunday — Reset Sunday
Plan from the future backwards.
Prompt: What would next week look like if you planned it from the perspective of your future self, not your current stress?
A note on this week’s illustrations
Alma Woodsey Thomas Untitledc. 1968 - MoMa NY
Yesterday was March 8th — International Women’s Day.
And as a slightly rebellious artist, especially in this global context, I kept thinking: why limit that energy to just one day?
So this week, the illustrations around my notes and posts are also my small way of celebrating and treasuring some of the female artists who have shaped me deeply — not only as an artist or surface designer, but as a person.
On my personal page and here, I’ll be sharing more about these incredible women too: sometimes through my own illustrations inspired by them, sometimes through photos of works I’ve had the honor to see in person, and sometimes simply by telling the story of why they matter to me.
Because some inspirations deserve more than one day.
Your future self is not built later — it’s built in today’s choices. What would they thank you for doing today? 💗
I really love this article ! i hugely struggle to connect to a sense of a future self, time for me is either NOW or NOT NOW as it is for many neurodivergent folk. Future me is another person in an another time. But the prompts to think about their opinion of my choices is a good reframe... i found myself wanting to do him proud, so i went to bed early.
A challenging concept fraught with difficulty the approach you guys outline makes is simple and actionable I like this muchly and will give some thought to implementing it, thanks!