A Mental Trick to Make Any Task Less Scary

All you have to do is picture yourself on the other side: Imagine Yourself Succeeding

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by a daunting task? Whether it’s saving for retirement or dragging yourself out of bed in the morning, we often struggle to see our future selves clearly. But what if I told you there’s a simple trick to make any task feel less intimidating?

This skill of picturing our future selves is fundamental for discipline — but it’s also important for happiness, which is just as important.

Be Kind To Your Future Self

Research shows that humans aren’t great at picturing our future selves. When we think about them, our brains react as if we’re thinking about strangers, not our own selves. This might explain why we procrastinate or make choices that aren’t great for our long-term well-being.

But here’s the kicker: when people see pictures of their future selves, they tend to make better choices. So, the key is to visualize ourselves on the other side of a tough decision. For example, if you’re dreading that early morning run, picture how amazing you’ll feel afterward, all energized and proud of yourself.

Get Disciplined About Happiness

It’s not just about discipline; it’s also about happiness. Psychologist Daniel Kahneman talks about two selves: the “experiencing self” (how we feel in the moment) and the “remembering self” (the one that looks back on past experiences). Then there’s the “anticipating self,” which dreams about the future.

Your anticipating and remembering selves want you to do all sorts of fun things, like skating at the outdoor rink downtown. But it’s your experiencing self that has to brave the cold and actually go. The trick is to focus on the joy you’ll feel afterward, not the temporary discomfort.

The only solution to this constant happiness dilemma is to picture yourself on the other side. If you’re excited about doing something, most likely you’ll be happy to have done it. You just have to go through a short time of something challenging to emerge to this happy state.

I’m using this trick as I tackle my own challenges, like school projects and a home renovation. I know that even though things might be tough now, I’ll eventually reap the rewards on the other side.