You Don’t Actually Know What Your Future Self Wants @TED #shorts

TL;DR

Discover the importance of actively shaping and curating your future self by considering your changing perspectives and new outlooks.

Transcript

All of us spend so much of our lives trying to make our future selves happy. We don't stop to ask, "Is it possible that in 20 or 30 years, our future selves are going to ask us, "What made you possibly think that that is what I would want?". We don't imagine, fundamentally, that we're going to have a different outlook or a different perspecti... Read More

Key Insights

• 🕊️ Our future selves may have different wants and perspectives compared to our current selves, so it is important to consider this when making decisions that will impact our future happiness.
• 🌟 We often assume that our future selves will have the same desires and outlook as we do now, but this may not be the case. Recognizing this can allow us to actively shape and design the person we want to become.
• 🎨 Taking an active role in crafting our future selves means being the curator and architect of our lives. We have the power to decide what kind of person we will be in the future by expanding our horizons and making intentional choices.
• 💡 The concept of our future selves should encourage us to think long-term and consider the consequences of our actions. What we do now will impact who we become in the future, so it is crucial to make choices that align with our desired future self.
• 🤔 It is easy to get caught up in the present moment and fail to consider the long-term implications of our choices. By consciously considering our future selves, we can ensure our decisions are in line with our values and aspirations.
• 🌄 Embracing the idea of our future selves allows us to approach life with a broader perspective. We can break free from the limitations of our current selves and explore new possibilities, ultimately shaping a more fulfilling future.
• 🌺 The realization that we will be different people in the future can be liberating. It opens up the opportunity for personal growth and transformation, as we are not bound by our current limitations and beliefs.
• ⚙️ Becoming an active participant in shaping our future selves empowers us to take control of our lives. Instead of passively letting life happen to us, we can actively shape our destiny and create a future that aligns with our true desires and potential.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why do we spend so much time trying to make our future selves happy?

We spend so much time trying to make our future selves happy because we believe that our future selves will have the same desires, aspirations, and preferences as our present selves. However, this assumption may not be accurate, as our outlook, perspective, and values can evolve and change over time.

Q: What happens if we don't stop to question what our future selves would want?

If we don't stop to question what our future selves would want, we risk making decisions and choices based on our present desires without considering how they may align with our future selves. In 20 or 30 years, our future selves may look back and wonder why we made certain decisions that no longer resonate with who they have become.

Q: Why is it important to imagine that our future selves will be different people?

It is important to imagine that our future selves will be different people because it allows us to recognize the potential for personal growth, evolution, and change. By acknowledging that our perspectives and desires may shift over time, we can actively shape our future selves and make choices that align with our evolving identities.

Q: How can we play an active role in crafting our future selves?

We can play an active role in crafting our future selves by being intentional in our actions and decisions. This involves expanding our horizons, exploring new experiences, and continuously learning and growing. By consciously shaping our character, values, and aspirations, we can have a greater influence on who we ultimately become in the future.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• We often spend a lot of time and effort trying to make our future selves happy without considering whether our future selves would actually want what we are striving for.

• We tend to overlook the fact that our outlook and perspective might change as we grow older, and that we will become different people.

• If we accept the idea that we will be different in the future, we should actively shape and plan the person we want to become, as we have the power to decide who that person will be.