Coaching practices for Future Self Continuity with My Team

Describe almost anything you are working through and IX Coach finds the practices whose real-world fit is closest. For Future Self Continuity with My Team, these are the strongest matches in the current practice library.

Does this sound like the set of challenges you might be facing?

  • My future self only crosses my mind in the rare big moment and then vanishes again
  • When I try to picture myself old it’s just a blank, fuzzy outline
  • I’ve looked back at the arc of my life and now I want to extend it forward
  • I can almost hear my older self looking back at the choices I’m making right now, and I’m scared it’s with regret
  • The version of me who’d benefit from saving feels like a stranger I owe nothing to

Practices that may help

  1. Future Self Continuity, Made Practical
    Hal Hershfield’s research shows that most people experience their future self as a stranger — neurologically similar to perceiving another person rather than themselves. This psychological distance explains impulsive decisions that trade future wellbeing for present comfort. Practices that increase felt connection to the future self reduce this discounting and improve decisions ranging from saving to health behavior.
  2. Journal to your future self weekly
    Writing regularly to a named future self builds the relationship and makes future wellbeing feel personal.
    Future Self Continuity, Made Practical
  3. Vividly visualize your future self in concrete detail
    The more specific and sensory your image of your future self, the less you discount their wellbeing.
    Future Self Continuity, Made Practical
  4. The future life line
    Extend your timeline forward and sketch the peaks and turning points you want to create — then work backward to today.
    The Life Line Exercise
  5. Write a letter from your future self to your present self
    Ask your 70-year-old self to write back to you now — with gratitude or regret.
    Future Self Continuity, Made Practical
  6. Make the future self vivid and concrete
    A vivid, detailed image of your future self competes more effectively with the present temptation.
    The Marshmallow Test and Your Money
  7. Build a vivid, concrete future orientation
    Make the future feel real and close by describing it in sensory, specific detail.
    Time Perspective Therapy
  8. Filter decisions through "what would future me thank me for?"
    Before significant decisions, ask whether your future self will be grateful or resentful.
    Future Self Continuity, Made Practical
  9. Write a letter from your future self
    Have your 80-year-old self write back about the decision you’re facing now.
    The Regret-Minimization Framework
  10. Consult your future self
    Imagine your wiser future self looking back on this moment, and ask what they’d want you to do.
    Self-Distancing: Thinking Clearly About Your Own Problems

Related concerns

Describe your situation in your own words to search the complete practice library.

Practice this with IX Coach

Try this practice