Chapter 1: The Power of Incremental Change

Every day, your present self is shaping your future self; the question is, how can we enhance this transformation?

Often, we find ourselves trapped in repetitive thought patterns, reminiscent of yesterday's mindset. I've realized that I can leverage the concept of my future self to break free from this stagnation. Instead of struggling to "improve," I can allow my envisioned future self to guide my actions and decisions, facilitating my growth.

How does this process unfold? It begins with a modicum of belief—belief that I can enhance myself by just 1% each day.

Surely, anyone can achieve a 1% improvement daily in any area of life, right? It's entirely feasible.

For instance:

• Learn Something New Daily: With the vast amount of information available, acquiring new knowledge each day is straightforward.
• Meditate Regularly: Even dedicating just 5 to 10 minutes can cultivate focus, enhancing our mental clarity and mindfulness.
• Engage in Daily Physical Activity: Committing to some form of exercise not only boosts our physical capabilities but also enhances our posture and overall well-being.

So, how does one step into their future self? While it's inevitable that we will evolve, we can also choose to optimize that evolution. Imagine a future self who is healthier, more focused, and more fulfilled—it's entirely possible.

You determine the traits you wish to cultivate in your future self and then concentrate on those attributes. Sounds easy, doesn't it? However, the challenge lies in maintaining consistency. Each day, the goal is to improve, even if only slightly.

To start, envision your best self six months down the line.

• How would your future self behave?
• What movements would they make?
• How would they approach challenges?

Understanding the Self

I've been reflecting on the notion of "the self." Various spiritual philosophies discuss concepts like the Evolved Self, the Higher Self, or the Best Self. Perhaps these terms converge on the same essence, reminiscent of ideas like the Holy Spirit or Buddha Nature.

In the realm of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, there’s a focus on understanding our internal parts—childlike aspects, managers, and protectors. Beyond these parts, each individual possesses a core essence known as the Self, characterized by qualities like calmness, curiosity, connection, compassion, clarity, confidence, courage, and creativity.

How can you discern between interacting with a part and your true self? Dr. Richard Schwartz, the founder of IFS, describes the Self as spacious and expansive, contrasting it with the limited ego that pretends to embody these traits.

I envision this spaciousness as my "Big Self," and my aspiration is to infuse these qualities into my everyday persona. I strive to embody calmness, connection, compassion, and courage.

The Future Self Connection

Where does the future self fit into this framework? I view my future self as an integration of my current self with this expansive essence.

Imagining a timeline of six months allows for significant growth while remaining manageable regarding goals.

So again, I ponder:

• How would my future self react in this scenario?
• What actions would they take in a public space?
• What mindset would they adopt when facing a difficult situation?

Putting Theory into Practice

To translate these concepts into action, I visualize my future self during activities like yoga. I picture them moving with ease and grace, and I strive to embody that fluidity in my movements. If I’m working on a challenging piece of music, I envision performing it confidently six months from now, integrating those self-characteristics into my practice.

This approach can be applied to various scenarios—whether it's public speaking, recovering from an injury, or learning a new skill. Whenever you're engaged in an activity, think about how you will perform it six months later. In what ways will you be more skilled, assured, or adept? Try to embody those advancements in your actions today.

Your future self is on the horizon, ready or not. By trusting in your daily progress and envisioning the qualities you wish to develop, you can witness remarkable transformations in both your imagination and reality.

A consistent 1% daily improvement can lead to substantial changes over time. The key is to consistently embody the traits of your ideal self—acting with calmness, confidence, clarity, curiosity, and creativity, while staying connected to the evolving vision of your future self.