Stanford Psychology Podcast

138 - Hal Hershfield: Connecting with Your Future Self for a Better Tomorrow

Sep 26, 2024

In a captivating discussion, Hal Hershfield, a renowned Professor of Marketing and Psychology at UCLA, delves into the intriguing connection between our present and future selves. He shares insights from his research on how our relationship with time influences decision-making and personal growth. Hal emphasizes practical strategies to achieve long-term goals and navigate life transitions, all while fostering a deeper awareness of intentional living. He also reflects on his unexpected career journey from psychology to applied business research.

37:47

Episode guests

Hal Hershfield

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Connecting emotionally with our future selves through techniques like age-progressed imagery can significantly influence positive long-term decision-making.

Recognizing the evolving nature of our identity over time can help individuals make more informed choices aligned with their current values and future goals.

Deep dives

The Importance of Connecting with Future Selves

Connecting with our future selves is vital for making decisions that optimize our long-term well-being. Many people struggle to engage in behaviors that benefit their future selves due to a perceived detachment or disconnect from that temporal identity. When individuals foster an overlap or emotional bond with their future selves, they are more likely to engage in proactive behaviors, such as saving for retirement or maintaining healthy habits. This emotional continuity enhances the motivation to make sacrifices in the present for a better future.

Intro

2min

Exploring the Intersection of Time and Decision-Making in Psychology

2min

Bridging the Gap: Connecting with Our Future Selves

4min

Navigating Time: Balancing Present and Future Selves

24min

Navigating Unexpected Career Paths in Psychology and Business

3min

Embracing the Present Through Intentional Living

2min

This week, Enna chats with Dr. Hal Hershfield, Professor of Marketing, Behavioral Decision Making, and Psychology at UCLA Anderson School of Management. In 2017, Hal was recognized as a 40 under 40 best business school professor. This year, he was voted as faculty of the year by MBA students at UCLA.

Hal studies how thinking about time transforms the emotions and alters the judgments and decisions people make. His research concentrates on the psychology of long-term decision making and how time affects people’s lives — specifically at a moment when Americans are living longer and saving less.

Hal earned his PhD at Stanford Psychology under the mentorship of Dr. Laura Carstensen, who is Enna’s PhD advisor currently. In this episode, Hal shares his journey in psychology, talks about his research on time and decision making as well as his recent book, Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today, an insightful and entertaining guide to grow into our ideal selves.

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Hal’s website: https://www.halhershfield.com/

Hal’s book: https://www.halhershfield.com/yourfutureself

Hal’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hal-hershfield/

Hal’s Twitter: @HalHershfield

Enna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ennayuxuanchen/

Enna’s Twitter: @EnnaYuxuanChen

Podcast Contact: stanfordpsychpodcast@gmail.com

Podcast Twitter: @StanfordPsyPod