Guest Hal Hershfield discusses how people neglect their future selves, impacting decisions. Dr. Laurie explores finding a balance between present desires and future needs. She uses an AI time machine for happiness advice decades from now.
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Quick takeaways
Neglecting future self can lead to stress and unfulfilled expectations.
Visualizing and connecting with future self can impact decision-making and behavior positively.
Deep dives
Recognizing the Importance of Treating Future Self Well
It is crucial to appreciate the significance of treating one's future self with care. Research indicates that people often neglect their future selves, imposing burdensome tasks and commitments. This negligence towards one's future well-being can lead to stress, guilt, and unfulfilled expectations. By recognizing the consequences of mistreating one's future self, individuals can strive to make proactive and mindful decisions that align with their long-term happiness and well-being.
Enhancing Future Self Connection Through Visualization
Visualizing and connecting with one's future self can significantly impact decision-making and behavior. Studies have shown that engaging with realistic representations of one's older self in virtual reality or through aging filters prompts individuals to make more future-oriented choices. Building a strong emotional connection with the future self can foster a sense of accountability and motivate present actions that benefit long-term goals.
Overcoming Procrastination and Hyperopia for Future Happiness
Addressing procrastination and hyperopia, the tendency to excessively focus on future needs at the expense of present well-being, is essential for future happiness. Delaying positive experiences and overlooking current joys in favor of future gains can lead to missed opportunities and unfulfilled expectations. Balancing current enjoyment with future goals can help individuals navigate between present and future needs, promoting a more fulfilling and balanced life.
Promoting Self-Compassion and Balance for Present and Future Well-Being
Fostering self-compassion and striving for balance between present and future needs is key to overall well-being. Acknowledging the shared objectives and desires of current and future selves can guide decision-making that prioritizes both immediate satisfaction and long-term goals. By cultivating a mindset that values self-care, meaningful experiences, and authentic connections, individuals can navigate life's challenges with resilience and contentment.
We often do things now that will make our lives more difficult or stressful in the future. We spend money, when we should save. We eat junk food, when we should exercise. We agree to commitments, when we should protect our free time. We act so thoughtlessly that it's almost like we hate our future selves.
Dr Laurie asks UCLA's Hal Hershfield to help her find the happiness balance between listening to what she wants now, and the preferences she might have in the future. And she steps into an AI time machine to get some happiness advice for herself decades from today.