A Path to Your Future Self

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1. Introduction

A Map to Your Future Self

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How would you describe the character of your future self? In what ways have you grown between now and then?

Imagine one year from now, you have an opportunity to visit a country you’re attracted to but that you know little about. You might want to consult a map as you start contemplating your journey today. What would you want the map to show?

In order to find the quickest and easiest path to your future self, it is helpful to have a map. The map does not need to be perfect, and there is no one able to sell you a perfect map to YOUR future self. After you have walked your unique path, you would be able to draw the map. For now, like ancient seafarers, you will make do with a map that is incomplete but captures the essence of what you and experts in human development know about your path forward.

In part 2 of this course you will explore a map describing fifteen elements of Self Leadership, covering relationships with:

A map showing 15 qualities:
1. Embodiment
2. Resilience
3. Nutrition
4. Rejuvination
5. Moderation
6. Creativity
7. Self-compasssion
8. Integrity
9. Growth mindset
10. Self-appreciation
11. Faith
12. Equanimity
13. Alignment
14. Generosity
15. Discernment

Can you see how important these three relationships are? Can you see the benefits of putting these relationships first, for you and for others? Can you see what happens when you neglect these relationships over time, how it limits your capacity both to show up resourcefully in the moment and your ability to grow your strength, wisdom and repertoire of action in the longer term?

Most of us spend our days on autopilot, following the habits of our current selves. You can choose to take charge of your life and proactively build the new habits of your future self that will shape your future life. You can spend more time consciously choosing rather than following the autopilot. And you can reprogram the autopilot so that it directs you to your future rather than keeping you in your past.

The core practice of taking responsibility for our three relationships is a daily reminder of our intentions by reading or listening to an affirmation or prayer for our future selves.

In part 2 of the course you will go through the affirmation line by line, checking which lines you want to keep, modify or delete. It is not necessary that you change any of the lines. The map does not need to be perfect. It is important that you have a map that is good enough for now and that you feel comfortable engaging with daily.

0. May I nurture my relationship to my Body, my Self and to Everything Now. May these relationships create a fertile soil in which my other relationships and all that I hold dear can flourish.

If you are familiar with S.M.A.R.T. goals, you may observe that these goals are Achievable and Relevant, but not Specific, Measurable or Time-Bound. These are aspirations for relationships, not objectives by which you will judge success or failure. There is a mystery to our paths and you do not fully control your health, your psychology, or how life unfolds. The sentence stem “May …” is deliberately ambiguous about who is responsible for making it happen. Ourselves, certainly – but also our family, friends, colleagues, circumstance.