Sometimes we wish that we are already in our ideal future. That we have already achieved our dreams. We dream about how this day would be in a distant time. How we would finally do what we have longed for. How we could be. Our better selves. We revel in this moment until we fall back into the here and now. After this, our brief future dream embeds itself back into the background of our minds.
This daydream of our desired being can help us. By making it real before we work on what will bring that future closer. Before you start your creative work, imagine what it would be like. To be that person. No, you will BE that person as soon as you start working. This person is what you always wanted to be: Disciplined, hardworking, less perfect, or even someone who knows how important breaks are. It is your choice what you will be in your future.
All you have to do is this: Start a ritual you do before you start working if you don’t already. For example, I have an hourglass that I turn over as soon as I start working. Imagine that you are that future person as soon as you finish this ritual. While doing this, imagine what this person does differently than the present you. What makes them better? You will be like your future self and work the way you always wanted until you are done with your work and return to the present.
Try it out and play this future role of you. You will perform better and get better. With this method, the chances of fulfilling your dream are getting closer. And suddenly your ideal future is here without you even realizing it.
Sources
Herman, T. (2019). The Alter Ego Effect: The Power of Secret Identities to Transform Your Life. Harper Business.
VeeBeeA on Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/productivity/comments/sbvgms/i_remembered_something_i_used_to_do_in_college/