More Gifts for our Future Self

Refilling the water in the coffee machine the night before —one example of a gift to our future self.

• Filling up the water in the coffee machine the night before,

• Deep cleaning the house before vacation,

• Considering how a commitment will feel in the moment and not just in the future, 

• Scheduling a buffer morning when possible after a large client commitment, to allow time to compile and send notes.

I found myself thinking about these gifts to my future self, as I refilled the water in the coffee machine one recent evening.

A gift to our future self is something we do today in order to make our lives better tomorrow (or next week, or next month, or next year, or even in many years). 

To give a gift to our future self, we might consider:

• What is one thing I can do today to make tomorrow easier?

• Is this a case of “the elephant looking small in the distance?"

• Will my future self thank me, or will my future self be regretful, of this choice I'm making today?

What are your favorite ways to give a gift to your future self?

Last time we talked about this idea, you had some awesome examples.

This post was first published as part of Friday Favorites —a free weekly curation of reflections and resources on leadership and life, and a wonderful little community of leaders. Feel free to join us here, if you’d like.