Meet Lisa Thompson, a dedicated procrastinator with a flair for avoiding tasks. She was the type of person who would say, “I’ll get to it later,” only to find herself binge-watching her favorite series instead. She knew that putting off certain things wasn’t doing her any favors, particularly when it came to her health. Yet every time she thought about tackling her goals, she found a million distractions—all more appealing than the task at hand.
One day, during a casual chat with a friend, Lisa made a wild declaration: “If I ever skip my workout again, I’ll donate $5,000 to the most annoying charity I can think of!” To her surprise, this bold statement turned her world upside down. Suddenly, skipping a workout wasn’t just about missing a session; it now came with the risk of supporting something she absolutely loathed.
When Willpower Isn’t Enough
As we discussed earlier, motivating yourself can be a daunting task, especially when the outcomes are in the distant future. Lisa’s struggle to stay committed to her workouts is a perfect example. In the short term, skipping a session didn’t seem harmful—after all, future-Lisa was the one who might face the consequences. However, when she had that conversation with her friend, the stakes were raised significantly. Instead of battling between immediate pleasure and long-term well-being, she was now faced with the choice of exercising or losing a hefty sum to a cause she despised.
Setting Boundaries for Your Future Self
Lisa’s experience illustrates a powerful concept: how to influence your future actions. By restructuring the choices in front of you and making the consequences feel immediate, you can guide your future self toward decisions that align with your current intentions. This technique is known as “precommitment,” a term popularized by Nobel Prize-winning economist Thomas Schelling. He highlighted that many expectant mothers, aware of the pain from labor, often request no anesthetic during delivery. They understand that, in the heat of the moment, they might opt for relief, so they preemptively eliminate that option.
We see precommitment in everyday life: “Please don’t give me any cookies, even when I beg.” “If I text my ex while intoxicated, please intervene—no matter how charming I sound.” “I won’t buy cake because I know I’ll devour the whole thing in one sitting.”
Schelling offers several strategies to help you ensure that your future self follows through on your current desires. Here are five effective methods:
- Hand Over Control: Give a friend your car keys or phone if you’re trying to resist temptation.
- Make a Commitment: Pledge a sum of money to a cause you dislike, like Lisa did, if you fail to meet your goals.
- Remove Temptation: If you’re on a diet, don’t keep sweets at home; use apps like Self Control to block distracting websites during work hours.
- Incarcerate Yourself: Have someone take you to a peaceful spot without distractions, only picking you up once you’ve completed your work.
- Plan Your Schedule: Do grocery shopping right after a filling meal to avoid unhealthy temptations.
What if You Always Did What You Wanted?
These strategies may differ, but they all serve the same purpose: they transform your future choices so that you instinctively lean toward what you know is best for you. The secret to getting yourself to run later is ensuring that, when that moment arrives, the option to run is more appealing than anything else available.
Which strategy you choose depends on your personal goals and what resonates with you. Personally, I’ve experimented with a few approaches. I find the “make a commitment” method particularly effective; I bet money on my success, and this has worked for a variety of my goals. For this, I utilize an app called Beeminder to track my progress—whether it’s running regularly or meditating daily—which charges me if I veer off course. Putting money on the line can be game-changing for those it suits. I haven’t yet tried the “incarceration” method, but it sounds like a surefire way to get things done!
To Wrap It Up
Motivation is key to accomplishing our goals, but it can be tricky when the rewards feel far away. The solution is to make the benefits of your actions or the drawbacks of inaction more immediate. The best way to ensure that your future self stays on track is to limit your options in a way that aligns with your current desires. For more insights on home insemination and related topics, check out our post here. And if you’re looking for expert advice on fertility, this is a fantastic resource. Additionally, for comprehensive information on pregnancy and home insemination, visit this link.