Have you ever wished you could send a message to your future self? Writing a letter to your future self is a profound way to articulate your personal and professional aspirations, acting as a bridge between who you are today and who you aspire to become. This practice isn’t just a fun exercise; it’s a powerful tool for self-reflection and setting meaningful goals. You will create goals based on your aspirations, dreams, and desires for your future self. Until you participate in the activity, you will never know what lies deep within your heart and what it wants! Let’s explore how you can create this inspiring message for your future self, making it both a beacon and a benchmark.

Why Write to Your Future Self?

“Connecting with our future self can motivate us to make better decisions and stick to our long-term goals,” writes Dr. Joe Dispenza, a researcher in neuroscience and human potential. This exercise is not only about setting goals but also about understanding and forging our future identity. We can outline an inspiring and actionable path by envisioning our future achievements. The only task is for you to embark on the path to success.

How to Write the Letter: The Key Components

Here are the critical components required to craft your letter and some ideas to get you started. Start the letter by stating, “Hello [your name], and the date, which can be 2, 5 or even 10 years into the future.  

1. Write about your Present Achievements: Begin by celebrating where you are right now. Acknowledging your current successes is crucial to setting a positive foundation.
💡 “As of today, I’m proud to have achieved...and...”

2. Write about your Future Goals: Clearly articulate the milestones you aim to reach.
💡 “By this date, I have achieved...and...”

3. Describe your Personal Growth: Reflect on the traits and skills you want to develop.
💡 “I have grown to become more resilient, empathetic and ...”

4. Include all your Dreams and Aspirations: Dare to dream big. Think beyond the immediate and practical.
💡 “Besides my professional goals, I have also started to learn..and conquered...”

5. Describe the Lifestyle and Wellbeing you desire: Describe the lifestyle you lead and how you maintain your health and happiness.
💡 “I regularly engage in yoga and meditation to maintain my wellbeing...and...”

Making It Inspirational and Fun

Make the letter fun, witty, and ambitious. Visualise a day in your future life in vivid detail to make the exercise more engaging and entertaining. Add personal touches, such as imagining where you might be living, new skills you have acquired, or even new technologies you might be using. Why not add some inspirational photos?

Purpose 

Writing to your future self serves multiple purposes. It can remind you of your priorities, motivate you on challenging days, and act as a personal checkpoint on your life’s journey.

“This letter is a capsule of your hopes and dreams, delivered through time to remind you of your aspirations,” notes psychologist and author Dr. Meg Jay.

The opportunity also allows you to connect deeply with your future self. Writing the letter is just as important as gaining insights from it. Make it a cherished ritual, something you look forward to revisiting over the years. Set a dare when you open the letter and see where you are on your journey or what you have achieved.

Why not share a line from your letter or even your entire letter and send it to me for accountability at [email protected]

Let’s inspire each other with snippets of our visions for the future!

Download the GOAL Setting Guide here if you want help and a starting point for setting goals. This may further help you to craft your letter.